Featured Turquoise Tommy Singer and Unknown

Found these two necklaces one is a Tommy singer (Pueblo) coral and turquoise bead necklace and the other appears to be M.tsosie which I think is Navajo. Any ideas

 

It seems to be Marie Tsosie. If you search her name you will find several Navajo sites with pieces of jewelry, same signature, artist identified as Marie.

 

The M. Tsosie necklace's hallmark is listed as an unknown Navajo artist here at-
http://www.art-amerindien.com/hallmarks/m-american-indian-jewelry-marks.htm



There are many Tsosies within Navajo families. This M. Tsosie's first name seems to be a mystery.
I've heard the names "Melvin Tsosie or Mary Tsosie" both Navajo within a famous jewelry-making family although, I know of no connection made to your mark. Jewelry with this mark doesn't seem to date past the 70 - 80s before the internet. I've read this mark may be associated with the Atkinson Trading Company.

 

You might join https://forum.turquoisepeople.com/ and ask there.

 

Thats a great link @singing

 

The first one certainly looks like the later Tommy Singer style, when he started making old style Navajo bead necklaces with a modern twist.
The photo of the tag is blurry, but he did use that shape silver tag for his bead necklaces. I love that style, and your necklace is beautiful.
He was Navajo though, not Pueblo.

As singing said, Tsosie is one of those well-known Navajo names, and many Tsosies are silversmiths.

 

Several Tsosies worked for the Atkinson Trading Company, but the people at Turquoise People didn't seem to know of an M Tsosie linked to the Atkinson Trading Company. Someone there suggested to ask Lyndon Tsosie at the House of Stamps (not postage stamps, but design stamps for Navajo jewellery).

https://www.thehouseofstamps.com/

 

I have a twin LOL. You have a nice predeath piece. I bought mine preowned in the 90s but as long as he was alive I didn’t care about the actual dating.

As far as your other piece goes I would not bother with further identification unless you personally want to. You’ve got the name identified as Navajo and if you’re selling it that’s all you legally need to list it as a signed Navajo M. Tsosie necklace. Since Hougart’s doesn’t attribute the stamp to Marie, I think you’re best leaving it as M. Tsosie. You’ve got all the keywords-Sterling Silver, Signed, Navajo, Turquoise, Pendant, Bench Pressed Beads, etc.

 

The embedded claws are unusual. At least I have never seen them used that way. It makes it more masculine. I wonder if it was meant for a man since the Navajo men do wear jewelry like that.

 

That's what I'd be thinking. I can see a guy in two or three chunky bracelets sporting that necklace. Some non-Native women would go for it too.

 

..

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I myself am familiar with this style.....and claw use...


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https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/pawn-navajo-sterling-silver-kingman-475487990

 

Nice one K. We can’t sell any bear parts in numerous US states but a lot of the newer ones are badger. My dad had an amazing bear claw cuff with magnificent inlay work. He got it from his art dealer brother in law. The piece was crazy major-I should have kept a picture. It took us years after he was gone to find someone in a state where that stuff is legal to sell to find it a new home.

TY for posting your piece. There was no question in my mind that 3 element piece was made as shown and that it’s Navajo although again, I would strongly advise against ever listing a modern unsigned piece as such.

 

I may be wrong although, I believe these claws are faux bear claws. I have seen many like these listed as such. I don't think it takes anything away from these pieces. Trade materials have always been a huge aspect of Native American jewelry. The art is still impeccable IMO.

 

I do not.
what in your experience would lead u to believe these claws are not real...?

 

I for sure don’t know but rather than get into an esoteric discussion off pictures on a jewelry board, a trip to any natural history museum will tell you what you have K. That’s what I did with mine and sadly mine was bear which I suspected as they were large and the piece was 50s at the latest as that’s when my uncle acquired it preowned.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=fau...biw=1067&bih=505&dpr=1.5#imgrc=JV8TVw8Bj1q3UM

 

This may help identify real from faux.

https://www.fws.gov/lab/idnotes/clawidn-prnt-w-intro.pdf

 

thanks, but I've been involved , buying , selling and owning .. animal parts for a long time.....

my polar bear claws are on my nightstand....and the brown bear claw I bought up in North Bay.....I'v worn off and on for 40 years.
& if I ever am in doubt.....my Mi'kmaw artist friend living across the river on the Mohawk reserve would be my go to......

 

But the replicas/fake claws look exactly like natural claws.... https://boneclones.com/product/black-bear-claw-KO-049

 

that's not experience.....that's just googling a web site....and Worthpoint is not a trusted source for basing opinions on...
and BTW.....those claws look real to me !!!