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c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise
c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise

c1920-30's Navajo INGOT Coin Silver Hand Wrougt LETTER OPENER w/stamps Turquoise

$ 133.68

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Item must be returned within: 30 Days
  • Country of Manufacture: United States
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
  • Condition: This a fine 90+/- Year Old INGOT COIN silver Letter Opener! There are no quality issues and it looks as they should with the distinctive Ingot Silver forge marks and evidence of hand forming. There is surface scuffing and a heavy tarnish. There is no practical way to test for .925 Sterling Silver vs. .900 Coin Silver. I am assuming that based on the age and technique utilized to make these that they were made with melted coins, which was the common practice at the time. Some of the contemporary Navajo artists (like Calvin Martinez) will use Sterling Silver and employ Ingot technology. Please, take a look at the description and the photographs. Thank you.
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Modified Item: No

    Description

    Navajo Ingot Letter Opener - circa 1920'3-1930's
    Hand Wrought Ingot Coin Silver
    Large Natural Turquoise
    Length 8.75"
    Width max .75" at the top
    49.2 grams = 1.58 Troy ounce total weight
    I hope you like this wonderful early Coin Silver Navajo Ingot Letter Opener with a Large natural Turquoise and stamp work. The Turquoise is full of character and may look like part of it is missing...it is not. It has the natural discolorations that you might hope for,and it is tight in its bezel too. I've done a bit of collecting and trading in Navajo Rugs and have enjoyed dealing in Native jewelry. I get excited when I have a transaction that involves old items that are made using traditional materials and methods. In the case of Navajo weavings, that would be the ones that have hand dyed and spun wool using natural dyes. In the case of jewelry, it is the Ingot pieces that are most intriguing to me.
    Please talk a look at the pictures closely. If you use the eBay magnification, you will get a good look at the imperfections that are the wonderful result of the process of making items from Ingot Silver. I've found a little 3 minute video that I have posted on the eBay listing for a Navajo Ingot Buckle that I have for sale that you may find interesting. It does a good job of giving a "snapshot" of what is involved in the forging of Ingot Silver. All of this hot, dangerous, and laborious work is done before the silver smith even starts to form the piece!  The short video does not show how the Silver Coins are melted and poured into an Ingot Slab prior to being hand forged into a workable form by the smith, so bear in mind that what you are seeing here is what might be called the second or third phase of the process.
    Enjoy the video...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=ZuY4NL-jj18
    I ship anywhere
    in the United States
    for free. Insurance is included, of course...
    I thank You and look forward to sharing a good experience!
    Reference only Ingot Letter Opener