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A spectacular, large-scale “Navajo Pearls”
style Navajo silver bead and Naja pendant necklace
by Ernie Lister, 2002
This amazing necklace is a contemporary Navajo jewelry masterpiece made by a master Navajo jeweler. Ernie Lister (b.1953) is one of the great Navajo silversmiths of his or any other time. To begin with, his own silverwork, like this incredibly stunning large-scale silver bead and Naja pendant necklace is absolutely superb; beautifully designed and always meticulously and traditionally crafted. Second, if the superior quality of his own personal work were not enough, Lister has further cemented his lasting legacy in the Navajo silversmithing hall of fame by teaching his now world-famous brother-in-law the silversmithing craft. Lister’s brother-in-law happens to be none other than the remarkable Navajo silversmith, Perry Shorty (b.1965), and one can easily see a very distinct resemblance in both men’s work and their use of traditional methods and materials.
And if the 42 beautiful big beads weren’t enough, hanging from the center of the beads is another silversmithing tour
de force; a splendid large, round tufa-cast silver Naja pendant which Lister very interestingly tufa-cast in three separate concentric rings, graduated in size, which he then soldered together to form the final Naja which he then decorated with very precisely-done chisel and stamp work and set with a fine, clear blue, high-grade Morenci, Arizona turquoise stone. The Naja pendant measures 2 3/4” in height including the bail and it is 2 3/8” in width at the widest point. It is a full 1/8” in thickness. The round shape of the Naja pendant corresponds beautifully and harmoniously
with the shape of the large round silver beads.
The necklace measures an impressive 18” measured from the top of the beautifully handmade tanned leather thong
it is strung on to the bottom of the Naja pendant measured while lying flat on a table. The circumference of the necklace is approximately 30” all the way around. It weighs 241 grams or 8 1/2 ounces, a little more than a half
pound of pure silver goodness and it is surprisingly comfortable for its substantial size and weight. The necklace is
in completely excellent original condition and it is properly signed and dated “E. Lister 02” on the back of the naja
and is also marked with a small dragonfly symbol on the back of the Naja pendant.
This necklace is a remarkable triumph of elegance, craftsmanship, tradition and pure visual power and impact;
a colossal and classic knockout piece if there ever was one!
SOLD
This outstanding large “Navajo Pearls” style Naja pendant necklace is an extraordinary example of Lister’s exceptional ability. You have, to begin with, the almost overwhelming abundance of large, luscious silver beads, 42 of them in all; handmade in the traditional two-piece manner, each a full 3/4” in diameter. They are incredibly dramatic and striking in appearance; meticulously crafted and perfectly polished, perfectly matched, thoroughly lustrous and absolutely knock-down drag-out lovely. Silver beads are some of the hardest pieces to make in the entire realm of Navajo silversmithing. The process is painstaking in the extreme requiring utmost precision and accuracy. The two pieces of
the bead must be perfectly matched, perfectly "dapped" into shape and perfectly joined together, sanded and polished.
Do it once and then repeat it perfectly 41 more times to make the 42 beads in this necklace. The process is so demanding and time-consuming that many highly-accomplished Navajo silversmiths such as the great McKee Platero simply will not do it at all any more.
Navajo silversmith Ernie Lister
Photo source and © ernielisterjewelry.com
Tools and materials traditionally used by Navajo silversmiths to make two-piece silver beads like the ones in this necklace.