Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Pendant Pin by Albert Cleveland
$ 300.00
Native American Navajo Sterling Silver and Turquoise Pendant Pin by Albert Cleveland - $300
PENDANT: 3" W x 2-1/2" L
BAIL: 3/4" L x 3/4" W
CONDITION: Vintage, Never Worn
This stunning piece by renowned artist Albert Cleveland can be worn as a brooch style pin, or a pendant. It would look fabulous hanging from a silver chain, or a string of turquoise beads. This pendant pin is made from an impressive chunk of silver in the shape of an eagle, plus a centerpiece of seven turquoise cabochons surrounded by silver in a twisted rope design. The center stone is 7/8" wide by 1/4" high. This piece is bold in its design, and can be worn by both men and women. It perfectly captures Cleveland's signature style. The back of this pendant is stamped sterling silver, and bears Cleveland's hallmark proving its authenticity.
In Navajo culture, animal figures carry symbolic meaning that is deeply interwoven with cultural practices. The eagle represents the courage, wisdom, and strength to realize one's own personal power, and in that way achieve conquest or victory. The eagle carries great significance in many Native American cultures, and is often considered the most sacred animal. The eagle can fly high, close to the creator, and with the all-encompassing view from such a height, teaches us to gain the perspective necessary to find inner peace and understanding, and in that way to discover and promote love, which is at the core of all teachings.
The wings also bear the symbol of the arrow, representing protection and defense.
Well known Navajo artist Albert Cleveland is a master silversmith who makes museum quality sterling silver jewelry which can be worn by both men and women. His signature style is born of old, traditional Navajo silversmithing. Noted for working in the 1940's curio style, Cleveland often uses thunderbirds, water birds, eagles, bears, horses, and other animals of traditional Navajo folklore. Cleveland rolls silver ingots down by hand into a flat sheet, which is then formed into beautiful pieces of jewelry and hand stamped, often incorporating turquoise. Cleveland is of the Dashchanii clan, and was born on the Navajo reservation near Mt. Taylor in 1954. He and his wife, Jacqualine, currently live near Gallup, New Mexico, where they often work together. When working alone, Cleveland signs his pieces AC, while pieces produced from the collaboration with his wife bear the hallmark AJC. These days, Cleveland produces much of his retro-style jewelry from copper and nickel-silver, so we are proud to present here some of his older work made of solid sterling silver.
Because these items are hand-crafted by local artisans using traditional techniques, slight variations may occur. Note that colors may vary according to each display monitor.
