Francis Begay - Navajo Sterling Silver Yei Naja Pendant and Chain
NP135 $39 plus s/h

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Navajo Yei Figure

Yei is a shortened version of YeiBeiChei, a holy figure in the Navajo culture.

The yei figure symbolizes healing powers.

It can be depicted standing upright, curved or angled in a three-sided square.
There are male and female yei figures. Some have square heads and others round.

Appearing as Petroglyphs (Rock Art) in North America, Yei figures are often use in healing sand paintings and woven into rugs.

Yei figures fashioned into jewelry are less common so are treasures not to be passed up.

Naja

The Naja has its origin with the Moors in Spain. It is a good luck charm to ward off the evil eye. It was used often used on the browband of Moorish Horses. It is thought that it was handed down from the Spanish Moors to Mexico and then to the Navajo Indians.

It is the base of many ornate squash blossom necklaces.

What does Sand Cast mean?

Sand cast items are Indian Hand Made items using a procedure developed by the Navajo silversmiths in the mid 1800s. It is a labor-intensive process that involves many steps.

Using Tuff Stone, a porous rock from volcanic ash, Tufa Stone, a porous limestone that forms near hot springs, or Sandstone, a harder stone, the artist carves the design of the item being cast. Another flat stone is placed against the carved half of the mold. The halves are fastened together and a sprue hole is carved into one end. Molten silver is poured into the mold using the sprue hole. Once the silver cools, the item is taken out and finished. Bracelets are poured flat and then shaped.

Due to the porous nature of Tuff or Sand Stone, sandcast items will have character marks and imperfections such as small pits. That is the nature of Sand Casting and Indian Hand Made.