Frank Patania Sr. Earrings of Turquoise and Silver

About the Piece:

Here's a pretty pair of vintage earrings by the Italian modernist master Frank Patania Sr. 

The earrings are refined multi-layered sterling silver ovals set with oval turquoise cabochons. A single sterling silver "rope" or twisted wire draws the eye in and adds Southwestern elegance. 

Frank Patania is best known for his acclaimed jewelry of silver, turquoise and sometimes coral. His bold creations are most often offered alongside those of Native American artists as Native American jewelry certainly influenced his life’s path from the 1920’s all the way until his death in 1964. As owner of the famous old Thunderbird Shop here in Santa Fe, Patania worked alongside some of the greatest masters of Indigenous jewelry including Julian Lovato, Joe H. Quintana, and Lewis Lomay. In fact, beginning April 2026, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian will be opening a show on the work of Julian Lovato, and if you're able to attend, you'll see jewelry by all these Thunderbird Shop jewelers including Frank Patania Senior. 

These sweet earrings were converted from clips to dangles. They hang at 1 7/8" x 13/16" and are lightweight and easy to wear. On the reverse, they're hallmarked with "FP" "Sterling" and the Thunderbird Shop mark. 

You can read more about Frank Patania Sr. here if you'd like.

Summary:

Item:
Vintage turquoise and sterling silver dangle earrings with wires for pierced ears.

Attribution:
Frank Patania Sr. (Thunderbird Shop, Santa Fe)

Materials:
Sterling silver, turquoise cabochons

Dimensions:
Approximately 1 7/8" long x 13/16" wide

Marks / Signatures:
Hallmarked on the reverse with “FP,” “Sterling,” and the Thunderbird Shop mark.

Vintage Frank Patania sterling silver earrings with turquoise.