Navajo HAIR BARRETTE, 3 1/8" sterling top, 2" clip for fine hair types. Recognizable vintage artisan online quality, wearable art. Southwestern.

DESCRIPTION:
A pair of sterling silver hair clip barrettes, recognizable Navajo artisan hand crafted quality. Lighter weight is good for fine and slippery hair. :) Stampwork design is pleasingly subtle, which gives it an elegance...it's not screaming 'southwestern BoHo', but that element is there. Love them for everyday. This kind of vintage quality is why we love it so much...precious metal, handmade artisan craftsmanship and distinctive design. You will love these pieces.

***MORE INFO BELOW DESCRIPTION.

WEIGHT:
13.2 grams

SIZE / MEASUREMENTS:
3 1/8 inch top, 2 inch clip.

MARKINGS / HALLMARKS:
No mark visible, tests as sterling silver.

MATERIALS:
Sterling silver top, steel clip.

CONDITION:
Beautiful vintage condition with only minor indications of prior use and the light surface burnish on the metal expected in a piece of this age. I clean vintage pieces by gently washing with dish soap (vintage patina is good, vintage dirt and germs are bad!) Then I usually give a quick surface buff with a silver cleaning cloth to bring up the contrast, leaving the natural patina of age in the details to enhance its beauty.

GIFT BOX INCLUDED, ready to give or just to enjoy!

RETURNS: I have a NO HASSLE return policy. If you don't love your purchase for any reason, you can return it for a refund of the purchase price. :)

OPTIONAL SHIPPING UPGRADE : I ship fast, usually the day you order, using USPS FIRST CLASS MAIL (1-5 days ), but for an additional cost you can purchase an upgrade to PRIORITY MAIL (1-3 days) at checkout if you wish.

***FREE SHIPPING INSURANCE ON INTERNATIONAL ORDERS*** :)

************************
MORE ABOUT THE NAVAJO:
The Navajo, who are also known as Dine or ‘The People', are a Southwest Nation of semi nomadic Native American Indians. At more than 300,000 enrolled tribal members as of 2015, the Navajo Nation is the second-largest federally recognized tribe in the U.S. and has the largest reservation in the country. The Southwest region consists of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and parts of Utah. Today, the Navajo live on a reservation which spans over 14,000 square miles. It lies between Arizona and New Mexico and the fact that it is an extremely arid, barren region has made it a challenging place to live.

Many Navajo families lived in hogans. These cone-shaped buildings were made of wooden poles and tree bark and were covered in clay. The Navajo believed that if the main door was positioned to open to the east it would bring them good blessings. Early Navajo people wore clothing made from deer hides. Woven cloth or knitted wool was used in later years. Something similar to a poncho was worn in later years as well, called a squaw-dress. They also wore colorful decorated blankets and sashes.

The Navajo were known for being fierce warriors. They often raided New Mexican Indians, Spanish settlers and settlements along the Rio Grande River taking their horses and livestock. The Long Walk in the 1860's was the start of a dark period in Navajo history. Americans moved into their homeland and thousands of Navajo were captured and killed before the remaining tribe members were forced to walk from Window Rock, Arizona to New Mexico, online a distance of over 300 miles. Approximately 200 Navajo died on this forced march. One of the most notable chiefs in Navajo history, Manuelito, signed a treaty with the U.S. government that allowed the Navajo to return to their homeland. As part of the treaty, he also negotiated livestock, farming tools, a clothing stipend and schooling for children.

Navajo art is recognized throughout the world. Navajo women were known for their spectacular weaving skills. Traditional rugs were intricately woven as were wraparound dresses and blankets. Their signature baskets are much more than just pretty decorations. Each piece of the basket has a special meaning and they are often used in traditional ceremonies. For ceremonial purposes that centered around healing, the Navajo created sand paintings. Colored sand was used to depict around 1000 traditional designs on a variety of mediums such as containers and vases.

Navajo Indian jewelry was often made by Navajo silversmiths who learned their trade from the Mexican and Spanish people. Silver was a popular metal to combine with stonework, especially turquoise, to create beautiful pieces of jewelry for personal use and for trade. They often melted down American coins and Mexican pesos to obtain their silver.