1970s High-Grade Royston Turquoise & Sterling Silver Naja Pendant — Signed DL — 79.5 Grams
An extraordinary piece of 1970s Southwest silverwork built around a spectacular high-grade Royston turquoise cabochon.
The massive teardrop stone transitions from clear sky blue into saturated emerald and forest green, divided by islands of golden-brown host rock. That dramatic movement between earth and sky is one of the most coveted expressions of natural Royston turquoise—and this stone displays it on an exceptional scale.
Its setting is equally commanding. A monumental sterling silver naja sweeps around the cabochon in broad, sculptural curves, rising into a hand-formed fluted crown and terminating in long, asymmetrical points. The turquoise is mounted within the open center in a serrated bezel surrounded by twisted silver wire, creating the appearance of a stone suspended inside the crescent.
This is not delicate jewelry. At 79.5 grams, it has the physical presence of a small sculpture. The extensively worked silver retains its original darkened recesses, irregular hand-finished texture and beautifully aged patina.
The reverse is hand signed “DL.” Although the initials are clearly present, the artist’s complete identity remains unresolved; we will not attach an unsupported name to the piece.
The naja is one of the defining forms of historic Southwest silverwork. This remarkable 1970s interpretation strips the form down to its essential geometry and rebuilds it as something bold, modernist and almost elemental.
DETAILS
- Circa 1970s
- Monumental hand-fabricated naja pendant
- Sterling silver
- High-grade natural Royston turquoise
- Exceptional blue-to-forest-green coloration
- Golden-brown natural matrix
- Hand-cut serrated bezel
- Twisted silver wire border
- Hand-formed fluted crown
- Signed DL on the reverse
- Weight: 79.5 grams
- Pendant only; necklace or chain not included
CONDITION
Excellent vintage condition with original patina, oxidation, surface marks and visible evidence of hand fabrication. These characteristics are consistent with the pendant’s age and contribute to its sculptural appearance. The Royston turquoise appears intact and securely set. It has not been aggressively polished.
A museum-scale piece of wearable Southwest art—and one hell of a Royston stone.
1970s High-Grade Royston Turquoise & Sterling Silver Naja Pendant — Signed DL — 79.5 Grams
An extraordinary piece of 1970s Southwest silverwork built around a spectacular high-grade Royston turquoise cabochon.
The massive teardrop stone transitions from clear sky blue into saturated emerald and forest green, divided by islands of golden-brown host rock. That dramatic movement between earth and sky is one of the most coveted expressions of natural Royston turquoise—and this stone displays it on an exceptional scale.
Its setting is equally commanding. A monumental sterling silver naja sweeps around the cabochon in broad, sculptural curves, rising into a hand-formed fluted crown and terminating in long, asymmetrical points. The turquoise is mounted within the open center in a serrated bezel surrounded by twisted silver wire, creating the appearance of a stone suspended inside the crescent.
This is not delicate jewelry. At 79.5 grams, it has the physical presence of a small sculpture. The extensively worked silver retains its original darkened recesses, irregular hand-finished texture and beautifully aged patina.
The reverse is hand signed “DL.” Although the initials are clearly present, the artist’s complete identity remains unresolved; we will not attach an unsupported name to the piece.
The naja is one of the defining forms of historic Southwest silverwork. This remarkable 1970s interpretation strips the form down to its essential geometry and rebuilds it as something bold, modernist and almost elemental.
DETAILS
- Circa 1970s
- Monumental hand-fabricated naja pendant
- Sterling silver
- High-grade natural Royston turquoise
- Exceptional blue-to-forest-green coloration
- Golden-brown natural matrix
- Hand-cut serrated bezel
- Twisted silver wire border
- Hand-formed fluted crown
- Signed DL on the reverse
- Weight: 79.5 grams
- Pendant only; necklace or chain not included
CONDITION
Excellent vintage condition with original patina, oxidation, surface marks and visible evidence of hand fabrication. These characteristics are consistent with the pendant’s age and contribute to its sculptural appearance. The Royston turquoise appears intact and securely set. It has not been aggressively polished.
A museum-scale piece of wearable Southwest art—and one hell of a Royston stone.
