Southwestern Mother of Pearl and Turquoise Eagle Necklace

This is a vintage Southwestern-style statement necklace featuring a large eagle center pendant crafted from multiple biological and mineral materials. The eagle's body and outspread wings are carved from iridescent white mother of pearl (nacre), displaying characteristic luster and chatoyancy. The bird features a distinctive turquoise stone inlay at the head, representing the beak or crown. The construction utilizes silver-tone metal hinges that connect the wings to the central body, allowing for movement and a better fit against the wearer's collarbone. Detailed feather striations are expertly etched into the mother of pearl wings. Small metal talons or decorative elements are mounted on the body. The piece is attached to a sterling silver or silver-plated paperclip style chain. The overall craftsmanship suggests a mid-to-late 20th-century Native American (likely Zuni or Navajo) or Southwestern artisan influence. The condition appears fair to good, with some visible oxidation on the metal components and slight wear consistent with age, though no major chips or cracks are immediately apparent in the delicate shell work.

Based on my visual examination, this vintage Southwestern eagle necklace is a fine example of traditional lapidary mosaic work, characteristic of Zuni or Navajo craftsmanship from the 1960s-1970s. The choice of large-format iridescent mother of pearl combined with turquoise inlay is highly desirable in the 'Old Pawn' or vintage Southwestern market. The etched feather detailing is crisp, though the metal hinges show significant oxidation that suggests it is either low-purity silver or silver-plated brass, which slightly tempers the valuation. The paperclip chain appears to be a later addition or replacement. The market for mid-century Native American jewelry remains robust, with figural pieces like eagles commanding a premium over simple geometric patterns. Comparables for similar-sized shell carvings with articulated wings typically hammer between $300 and $600 at specialized auctions. Limitations: From digital images, I cannot verify the presence of a 'sterling' hallmark or an artist's signature, nor can I distinguish between natural sleeping beauty turquoise and stabilized or synthetic substitutes. A definitive valuation would require an in-person acid test for metal purity and a microscopic inspection of the shell's attachment points to ensure there is no hidden resin repair. Provenance documentation or a signed hallmark would potentially increase the value into the $700+ range.