J2018 Santo Domingo Thunderbird Necklace
This Depression era Thunderbird necklace was hand made by an unknown Santo Domingo artist. It is strung on original cotton twine. Crushed turquoise insets are in each piece of the necklace. The necklace features a large inlaid 1 1/2” by 1 3/4” Thunderbird, eight 3/8 x 1 inlaid tabs and gypsum or bone heishi.
Length: 29 inches long end to end.
Circa 1930-1940's.
During that era, materials were scarce and so the Santo Domingo artists used whatever materials were available to make these necklace - materials such as broken bakelite shards, gypsum, colored plastic from combs, pails or restaurant spoons and forks, crushed turquoise chips, while old phonograph records or car battery casings were used as the backing material. These necklaces were sold to tourists along the highway or at RR stops for as little as $1 during the Great Depression. They've become so collectible that they're becoming more and more difficult to come by
