This is a fabulous sterling silver Isleta Dragonfly Cross Pueblo necklace with Navajo pearls and early circa 1920-1930 Hubbell Trading Post turquoise beads. The necklace show early Isleta Pueblo sterling silver crosses in the classic Isleta Dragonfly Cross or Pueblo Cross patterns which originated from the Moors an Spaniards amongst the early Pueblo Native Americans. The necklace shows a large double bar Isleta Dragonfly cross with deeply stamped designs and bifurcated split bottom. The necklace shows ten additional Isleta Dragonfly cross beads ranging from effigy dragonfly designs, classic triple bar with crescent moon Isleta crosses, traditional crosses, double bar with hear Isleta crosses and crosses with squash blossom like patterns on the bottom. The necklace shows ten 1920-1930 Hubbell Trading Post turquoise original beads as well. These John L. Hubbell / Don Lorenzo beads are well kept with a nice turquoise color and grey / brown to white internal coloring in between. The strand is strung on sterling silver chain and is accompanied by sixty (60) sterling silver Navajo pearl beads, also referred to as Navajo concho beads, Navajo concha beads, Navajo saucer beads, amongst other names. One of these beads is stamped, “R Sterling H”, likely for “R.H. Sterling”.
The Isleta Pueblo is traditionally located in New Mexico on the east bank of the Rio Grande south of Albuquerque, the same site as when it was discovered in 1540, formerly the seat of the Franciscan mission of San Antonio de Isleta from 1621 until the Pueblo revolt of 1680, which was captured by the Spaniards in 1681 and later repopulated by native peoples in the early 1700’s and became the mission of San Agustin de Isleta.
The necklace is in very good condition and displays beautifully. Measures overall 27-inches long circumference, the largest cross is 3-inches long by 1.5-inches wide. Total weight of 156 grams.