9-1-213 Early Navajo silver box.
The Navajo are an Athabaskan speaking people belonging to the Nadene linguistic family and who also refer to themselves as the “Dene” which means the people. Like their close relations, the Apache, they migrated in ancient times from the far northern Canadian interior into what is now the southwestern United States. They have the largest reservation in the country, which is also their traditional homeland, encompassing parts of southeast Utah, northeast Arizona and northwest New Mexico. The Navajo were the first to become famous for silver and turquoise jewelry in the Southwest but they were also quite skilled at making non-jewelry items such as bowls, trays, spoons, boxes to mention just a few items.
This handsome silver box has an elaborate stamped design on both the lid and sides with wonderful heart designs stamped throughout (perhaps this was commissioned for Valentines Day). It is made in the early type of construction without hinges and has the early file finish on the exterior. An exquisite large example dating to the 1930's.
4 5/8"Long by 3 1/4"wide and 7/8"deep. $2,500.00