Tufa Cast Navajo Silver Cross By Chenoa Custer

About the Piece:

As is so often the case, the late Navajo jeweler, Ira Custer taught his two beloved daughters, Cheyenne and Chenoa, the art of jewelry making. They worked side-by-side, father and daughter and daughter to create handmade works of art.

This eye-catching silver cross pendant was made by Chenoa, Ira's youngest daughter, affectionately called "Noa" by her sweet family. It's carefully and beautifully made in similar style to crosses that Ira Custer made, notice the crosses in Ira's belt here. 

To make this pendant, Chenoa used a tufa stone which is soft volcanic rock like sandstone. She carved this design into the tufa stone which became her mold. Then, she melted silver, poured the molten silver into the mold, allowed it harden, and eventually opened the mold to reveal this one-of-a-kind cross. Her last touches were filing off points of silver that were attached to the cross from the channels in the mold pour. Finally, Chenoa attached a generous silver shepherd's hook so that you can hook this pendant onto an array of different beads and necklaces. 

You can read more about the process of tufa casting here. 

Heartbreakingly, Chenoa Custer passed away a few years ago followed by her grief-stricken father. Now, it is just Cheyenne Custer who elegantly continues the family tradition in a way that would make them proud.

Chenoa Custer's silver cross pendant measures a hair under 2" x 2". It's etched with her initials on the reverse and comes from Martha Struever's private collection. It will ship on a black leather strap, but you'll find many different ways to wear this beauty.

Summary:

• Item: Pendant

• Attribution: Chenoa Custer (Navajo)

• Materials: Tufa cast silver

• Dimensions: Measures just under 2" x 2"

• Details: Signed with the artist’s initials on the reverse; fitted with a generous silver shepherd’s hook

• Provenance: From the private collection of Martha Struever

Chenoa Custer Tufa Cast Navajo Silver Cross Pendant