Depression Era Kewa Thunderbird Necklace 

RARE. This is a rather dainty example of a Depression era Thunderbird necklace made by an artisan from the Kewa (Santa Domingo) Pueblo in northern New Mexico. The story goes that from the Great Depression of the 30s into the 40s, Kewa artisans had difficulty obtaining traditional materials for their popular inlaid jewelry. So instead of MOP & coral, they famously substituted early plastics including bakealite & celluloid sourced from diverse found objects including toothbrushes & car batteries. They placed these manmade materials alongside natural turquoise as the colored inlay materials in these iconic thunderbird statement necklaces. The colors are normally red, white, black & turquoise as seen here.The traditional layout features 8 teardrop shaped charms framing the central Thunderbird pendant, a bit like a squash blossom necklace. The pendant depicts a classic thunderbird in profile with turquoise set in natural pine pitch at the shoulder. Each charm features the same materials stacked in small pendants. The plastics bear the marks of having been worked by hand without power tools. The thunderbird pendant measures approx 1.5" H x 1.5" W x just over 1/8" D. The smaller charms range from 5/8" to 7/8" L. The white glass beads average 3mm W. This has been restrung with sterling ends so is ready to wear. 

Excellent Condition!  Fun & funky SW collectible!