Necklace after 1930

This Necklace, made in an unknown time by a Navajo (Diné) artist, presents a beautiful, almost meditative approach to adornment. It’s composed of what looks like hand-wrought silver beads and delicate pendants, with a central horseshoe motif. The entire piece has a softly reflective quality. The surface of each bead and pendant seems to catch the light in a way that is both subtle and luminous, while the repetitive arrangement of the elements along the necklace creates a sense of rhythm. I find myself drawn to the small pendants dangling from the beaded strands. Each one is slightly different, implying a kind of handmade imperfection. The artist here shares the same kind of approach as someone like Tara Donovan; the whole object is made up of modular elements. This piece encourages an appreciation for the way materials can be transformed through simple, repeated gestures.