Description
Traditional handmade Native American Indian Jewelry from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent vintage condition.
Reflecting a master’s touch, this vintage Diné (Navajo) sterling silver pendant by the renowned Leon Martinez is a study in texture and contrast. At its center lies a teardrop-shaped turquoise cabochon featuring a serene sky-blue color, beautifully accented by a delicate, webbed matrix. The stone is cradled in a traditional sawtooth bezel and framed by a sophisticated arrangement of “Vintage Revival” silverwork, including heavy-gauge twisted wire, hand-stamped patterns, and oxidized recesses that provide an aged, soulful depth. This listing is for the pendant only; it features a substantial, stamped bail that is perfectly sized for a heavy silver chain or a strand of Navajo pearls.
Leon Martinez is celebrated for his ability to recreate the “Old Style” aesthetic of the early 1900s while maintaining a contemporary standard of perfection. Influenced by his parents and mentored by legendary smiths like Kirk Smith and Harry Morgan, Leon specializes in using heavier-gauge sterling and natural, premium stones. His work often utilizes a specific oxidation process that gives the silver a rich, historical patina as if it were a rediscovered heirloom. For the collector, a Leon Martinez piece is not just jewelry but a testament to the patient, hand-wrought craftsmanship of one of the Navajo Nation’s most decorated modern silversmiths.
