Native American Sterling Silver Appraisal

Native American Style Sterling Silver and Turquoise Naja Pendant

This is a distinctive Native American style Naja pendant crafted from sterling silver and featuring a prominent turquoise cabochon. The pendant takes on the classic horseshoe or crescent shape, characteristic of Naja designs often seen in Navajo and Zuni jewelry. It is composed of multiple layers: an outer, wider band of sterling silver that is decorated with a series of parallel lines, possibly hand-stamped or chased, giving it a textural quality. Inside this outer band, there are two narrower, rope-twist sterling silver wires that add depth and intricate detail to the design. These elements are soldered together to form the curvilinear shape. At the terminals of the Naja, the silver is capped with fluted dome-shaped accents, adding a finished and decorative touch. Centered at the bottom arch of the Naja is an oval-shaped turquoise stone, bezel-set in sterling silver. The turquoise exhibits a beautiful robin's egg blue color with visible matrix, suggesting a natural origin and likely contributing to its character. The bezel setting around the turquoise is plain. Below the turquoise and at the very center bottom of the Naja, there is a simple sterling silver bail, allowing the piece to be worn as a pendant on a necklace. The silver shows a noticeable patina, indicating age and lack of recent polishing, which is often desirable in vintage Native American jewelry. No obvious maker's marks or signatures are discernible from the provided image. The craftsmanship appears solid with clean soldering and consistent decorative work, suggesting a moderate to high level of quality for its style. The overall design exudes a classic Southwestern aesthetic.