North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Trails of Tradition: Parade Saddles, Beadwork & Western Auction

Sat, May 16, 2026 11:00AM EDT
  2026-05-16 11:00:00 2026-05-16 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Trails of Tradition: Parade Saddles, Beadwork & Western Auction https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/trails-of-tradition-parade-saddles-beadwork-western-auction-23448
Join North American Auction Company on May 16th for our Trails of Tradition: Parade Saddles, Beadwork & Western Auction. This is a wonderful collection of items including one of the largest Ted Flowers Saddles and Riggins Silver Mounted Parade Saddle item collection, Bruce VanLandingham Sundog, the Historic and Important ex-William H. Guthman 18th-Century Presentation Silver Mounted Pipe Tomahawk, and other collector items including Native American Beadwork and Weapons, Western History, Photos, Great Northern Calendars, fine Navajo Jewelry, Americana, and Luxury Jewelry. Visit Live.Naabid.com
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Lot 255

Navajo Michael Thomas Jr. Heavy Bear Claw Ring

Estimate: $900 - $1,200
Starting Bid
$275

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
This is an original late-vintage heavy sterling silver men’s large ring set with a Bear Claw and Kingman Turquoise by Navajo master silversmith Michael Thomas Jr. The piece is signed, “M. Thomas Jr. / Sterling”. Michael Thomas Jr. is known for crafting traditional Navajo jewelry, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, featuring stamped sterling silver, intricate Navajo rope designs, leaves, bear claws, and high-quality turquoise, often stamped "M. Thomas Jr.". His work includes substantial cuff bracelets, belt buckles, and necklaces with significant use of Kingman turquoise and sometimes coral, showcasing detailed craftsmanship with applique dots and scrolled silver. The artist's hallmark is stamped on the reverse, "M. Thomas Jr." The lot features a beautiful late-vintage Navajo Diné sterling, bear claw & turquoise ring done by Navajo silversmith M. Thomas Junior, signed. This is a beautiful sterling ring featuring a stunning bear claw and Kingman mine turquoise. Four sterling beads can be seen surrounding the claw and the turquoise piece. The ring is marked on the bottom reading, "Sterling / M. Thomas Jr.". The ring shows good condition overall with slight wear present from its use but no signs of damage is noted. It measures 1 3/8" L x 1" W x 1 1/4" H and weighs 38.5 grams.

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