Native American Style Silver Concho with Turquoise Mosaic Inlay

A circular ornamental silver concho, likely constructed from sterling silver or a high-quality nickel silver alloy. The piece features a prominent outer border with a twisted rope or cable pattern, surrounding a wide decorative band decorated with repeated stamped serrated or 'sunburst' motifs that give it a textured, radiant appearance. At the center is a slightly recessed medallion featuring a vibrant blue and teal turquoise mosaic inlay. Embedded within this stone mosaic is a central figure shaped like a bird or possibly a bear, rendered in a contrasting white or pale shell material, possibly mother-of-pearl or spiny oyster shell. The construction suggests traditional Southwestern or Zuni-style lapidary work, where small stones are precisely fitted into a flush setting. Based on the stamping and assembly, this item dates to the mid-to-late 20th century. The silver exhibits a soft, natural patina with some darkening in the recessed stamped areas, which highlights the detail. There are no immediate visible cracks in the stones, indicating good preservation of the inlay. No maker's marks are visible in the photograph, though they would typically be located on the reverse side. The craftsmanship appears consistent with handmade artisan jewelry, characterized by minor irregularities in the stamping and stone placement that add character and value to the piece.

I have conducted a visual examination of the Native American silver concho, featuring a distinctive turquoise mosaic inlay and central zoomorphic mother-of-pearl motif. The craftsmanship is indicative of mid-to-late 20th-century Zuni or Zuni-style lapidary work. The shell bird/bear figure is skillfully integrated into a flush-set mosaic, a hallmark of skilled stone-to-stone or channel-work techniques. The silverwork exhibits traditional 'sunburst' stamping and a rope border that suggests an artisan production, likely sterling silver based on the oxidation patterns, though a lack of visible hallmarks prevents a definitive metal purity assessment. The condition appears Excellent; the absence of visible fractures or missing tesserae is significant, as repair to mosaic inlay often diminishes value by 30-40%. Market demand for high-quality vintage Southwestern jewelry remains strong, with collectors prioritizing pieces that exhibit natural patina over polished finishes. Similar mid-century conchos of this diameter (presumed 2.5–3 inches) typically realize $400 to $700 at auction depending on the specific artist. Limitations: My assessment is based solely on high-resolution imagery. A definitive appraisal requires an in-person acid or XRF test to confirm silver fineness (925) and a physical inspection of the reverse for 'ghost' hallmarks. Authentication of the turquoise as natural versus stabilized is also impossible through photography alone. Provenance documentation or a 'signed' reverse would elevate the valuation to the higher end of the range. For insurance purposes, I recommend a formal physical verification of the stone stability and metal content.