Navajo NA Pawn Squash Blossom Necklace turquoise silver, massive (updated descr)

Description

This elegant, traditional squash blossom necklace is a fine, massive, old piece of historical Navajo jewelry and consists of
sterling silver bead strands, 17 turquoise pieces and 10 squash blossoms.
Total weight is 228 g (8.1 oz), necklace length 26" (not including 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" naja).
It was bought in the summer of 1997, in Gunnison, Colorado, at a local shop where it was on consignment as pawn, with a broken original silver chain
which is indicative of its very old age and
left there by a “very old native Navajo woman." A fiber cord was used to carefully reattach the parts so nothing was missing. It has since been professionally restrung. The heavy hook-clasp was not usable and was replaced.
When old or vintage Navajo jewelry is not signed or stamped, it tends to have been produced at an earlier time period and is therefore more valuable, depending on one’s preference of age or artisan.
Some of the turquoise is lightly spider-webbed, is of natural gem quality, and has not been enhanced. There are 5 pieces of turquoise on each side of the necklace, and 7 on the naja or pendant, totaling 17 turquoise pieces.
Naja means “crescent” in Navaho. It is a traditional crescent or horseshoe-shaped piece or pendant at the bottom center of a squash blossom necklace. A naja is also made and worn alone, and the designs have become widely varied, as can be seen on the included sheet of USPS 2-cent stamps. The original naja design was apparently adopted by the Navajo from Spanish ornaments used especially on horse bridle headstalls, but also on clothes and in other places. As an aside, there is an ancient superstitious belief that a horseshoe-shape in the dumping-out position would banish “evil eye” spirits, so the design was often used on both soldiers and their horses, including by the Spanish.
There are 16 silver single-strand beads on each side at the back of this necklace. Then a double strand continues on each side to the naja. I am not familiar with silver jewelry-making techniques, other than there seem to be bezels holding the turquoise pieces.
The silver squash blossoms on Navajo necklaces were apparently designed after the blooms on squash plants. These natural blooms are edible, tasting mildly like squash. Blooms range in color from yellow to orange, and oddly, are both male and female, with different biological plant functions.
The necklace has medium tarnish, with no attempt to polish it. Any wear is consistent with its age.
Condition is Pre-Owned. Shipping USPS with signature required. Please see seller's other fine jewelry, art and more.