Santo Domingo/Kewa ER – COLLECTOR ALERT

Santo Domingo-Kewa made an impression in early Native American jewelry with chip inlay. And they proved themselves innovative and ingenious. Then a poor village, the SD/Kewa had little silver. But they adapted to the call for “Indian Jewelry” by using common daily resources to make this unique and inventive Native jewelry.

Tooth brush plastic, record disks and even battery casings, they forged jewelry that mimicked silver jewelry. By inlaying turquoise chips and red plastics, they forged jewelry that found willing buyers in the railroad travelers.

Plying this method in a Fred Harvey Thunderbird sorta way, this Jewelry has arisen in recent decades as a bonafide way.

Surviving earrings like these are scarce. Length is just over 2”.  Vintage….ca. 1930.