North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance

Sat, Sep 13, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-09-13 11:00:00 2025-09-13 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/timeless-treasures-19th-c-native-western-photographs-french-elegance-20467
Join us Saturday, September 13th at 9am MT in Bozeman, MT for Timeless Treasures: 19th C. Native, Western Photographs & French Elegance. This exceptional auction features a remarkable collection of 19th-century Native American artifacts, rare Western photography by Haynes, Huffman, and other Montana photographers, and an impressive selection of 18th-century French furniture. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to acquire historic and elegant treasures. Browse the full catalog at live.naabid.com
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Lot 469

Fred Harvey Era Navajo Silver Thunderbird Ring

Estimate: $250 - $500
Current Bid
$70

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Featured in this lot we have a Vintage Fred Harvey Era Navajo Silver Thunderbird Ring, circa 1920s - 1930s. The ring displays an artisan silver craftsmanship with overlays of a thunderbird and arrows motif. Fred Harvey jewelry was made for the non-Native tourists along the Santa Fe railroad lines, in hotels and retail shops run primarily by the Fred Harvey Company. Although many pieces from this period were unsigned, they were often made by skilled Native American artisans from the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and Pueblo communities hired by Harvey; artisans whose techniques had been passed down through generations. Navajo silversmiths played a central role in developing lightweight stamped silver cuffs and rings. Their contributions shaped the aesthetic of the Fred Harvey style, even as they worked within designs dictated by tourist preferences. Fred Harvey era jewelry is widely collected and sought after. It is easy to wear, and generally with a fair amount of ornamentation and stamping. In contrast to traditional Navajo or Pueblo jewellery of the 19th century, which was heavy and ceremonial, these pieces were lighter, more delicate, and more symbolic in design. The most recognisable motifs include thunderbirds, arrows, lightning bolts, whirling logs, sunbursts, and four-directional crosses. This ring features an overlaid Thunderbird flanked by arrows and surrounded by detailed stamping. The Thunderbird symbol represents power, protection and strength. A rich patina is noted. Ring size is 10.5, weight is 7.2gms.

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