Vintage Native American NOS sterlling silver Onyx Frog Pin by Navajo Ivan Kee

Vintage NOS Sterling Silver
Sandcast Onyx Frog Pin
HK Item #PN446

Paula says - "This sterling silver Onyx Frog pin is NOS (new old stock) that was made in the 1970s but was never used - brand new vintage!

Materials	onyx, Read about stones sterling silver, Read about silver
Size	1 3/4" long x 1 1/4" wide 3/4" long pin
Hallmarks	I K STERLING
Artist	Ivan Kee, Navajo - [(?-1982) Ivan began making jewelry in the 1940s. His wife, Inez Kee, worked with him and used the same hallmark.
Condition	Vintage, NOS, excellent, never used

Questions or more details.

What does Sand Cast mean?

Sand cast Indian Hand Made items are made 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.

White Buffalo Collection

We recently purchased a large collection of vintage but unused Native American artifacts including jewelry, rugs and pottery. It was part of the estate of a Navajo woman who was a missionary that worked with Native Americans in Four Corners - the area of the American southwest where four states meet- New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. As a single parent, she raised 5 daughters and a son while also providing food, shelter, and clothing to less fortunate people that needed assistance. Often she was thanked for her help by gifts of Native American items.

Most of the items in this collection are from the 1970s to the 1990s. We offer these items to you with great respect and with the information we received from the family plus our research.

We named the collection after one of the pieces in the group, a hand carved Navajo fetish necklace honoring the Sacred White Buffalo.

BUFFALO MEDICINE - The appearance of White Buffalo is a sign that prayers are being heard, that the sacred pipe and Spirit are being honored. White Buffalo signals a time of abundance, prosperity and thankfulness. Buffalo was the major source of sustenance for indigenous cultures of the plains, giving meat for food, hides for shelter and clothing, and Spirit Medicine. The Medicine of Buffalo is prayer, gratitude and praise for that which has been received. Buffalo Medicine is also knowing that abundance is present when all relations are honored as sacred, and when gratitude is expressed to every living part of creation, recognizing the sacredness of every walk of life.

NOTE: Items in our Vintage Shop are either USED or NEW. They might come from inheritances, estate sales, private collections, and store liquidations. Many items are brand new (NOS, New Old Stock) and in perfect condition while others may show tarnish, scratches and other signs of use. Major issues will be described in detail and shown in photos. Vintage Shop items are sold as described and are not returnable.

Horsekeeping LLC - Definitions of Jewelry Age and Condition © 2013 Horsekeeping LLC © Copyright Information
Patina	A dark or colored film of oxidation that forms naturally on metal by exposure to air and other elements. It is often valued for its aesthetically pleasing appearance. All items in our Vintage Shop have some patina, even NOS.
Vintage	30 years or older.
NOS	New Old Stock. Made at least 20 years ago but never used.
Pre-owned	An item that has been used.