Depression Era Thunderbird Necklace From Santo Domingo Pueblo

The very first time I attended an antique tribal art show, my very first purchase was a Depression Era thunderbird necklace made at Santo Domingo Pueblo. I'd heard of them before, and I couldn't help but fall in love with the ingenuity that gave birth to these vintage thunderbird necklaces made during the Great Depression.

During the Great Depression, fine Native jewelry materials like coral and turquoise were scarce. Resourceful Kewa artists made do with old car battery casings, toothbrushes, bones, colored plastic from Dairy Queen spoons, and phonograph records instead. It was the ultimate in eco-friendly upcycling before that was a thing.

The resulting necklaces from Kewa Pueblo are charming and creative pieces of Native American folk art jewelry. Each one is a little bit different, and they're now beloved and collectible - even more so after the Wheelwright Museum held an exhibition on this form of jewelry. 

This particular vintage Santo Domingo thunderbird necklace is unique in its design. It has two silver beads on either side of the thunderbird pendant, which were likely added at a later date, possibly during a re-stringing. Silver beads would have been very scarce during the Great Depression. Unlike many of the mosaic inlay thunderbird pendants, this bird has his wings up and is ready to fly. 

It has a striking combination of both recycled components and actual turquoise inlay. When you run your fingers along teach tab and the center pendant, you can see and feel the markings from the maker's tools. 

It's truly wonderful! People who aren't collectors will ask you all about it, and you'll have a cool story to tell.

Necklace is 29 1/2" from end to end  plus a 2 3/4" x 1 3/4" pendant. It closes with a handmade silver hook and eye clasp. From a Santa Fe Collection.