The lot features a fantastic heavy sterling silver Kachina handmade necklace and earrings set by Navajo master silversmith Alvin Joe (also known as Al Joe, A. Joe, A.J. or Avin Joe). The piece is set with beautiful Red Mountain Turquoise polished cabochons with a nice spiderweb matrix. The necklace exhibits a large feathered Kachina dancer set with an oval stone and is signed, “AJ Navajo Sterling”. The pendant is on a handmade sterling silver link necklace with six Old Pawn style concho beads each with nice Navajo stamping, rope silver and set with wonderful turquoise. The earrings have the same Third Phase buckle concho pattern that matches the necklace.
Avin Joe, master Navajo silversmith born and raised on the Navajo Reservation, learned the trade through his father Phillip Joe who was taught by his uncle Kenneth Begay. Avin learned the basics through observation and developed his skills by taking silversmithing classes ag Ganado High School. During the next several years, Avin worked with various metals to learn their properties, reaction to heat, stamping, etc. and since the mid 1990s has worked almost exclusively in silver, perfecting his skills, to become a master silversmith, building top quality pieces featured in the finest galleries, museums and collections around the world.
Necklace measures 17”L end to end with the Kachina by itself being 3.25”L by 1.75”W. Total weight is 100.1 grams. The necklace has a $4088.00 price tag for the set.