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🩶 VINTAGE 1950s–1960s NAVAJO STERLING SILVER HOOP EARRINGS — DANGLING PILLOW CONCHOS 🩶
An enchanting pair of vintage circa 1950s–1960s handmade Navajo sterling silver earrings from the Nancy Elby collection, featuring beautifully twisted silver hoops and freely dangling, three-dimensional pillow conchos.
The hollow, deeply fluted conchos move with a mesmerizing fluidity, catching the light as they gently turn and sway. Their sculptural design, graceful movement and naturally aged silver give these earrings a timeless elegance rarely found in ordinary hoop earrings.
Measuring approximately 1 9/16 inches in total drop, with hoops approximately 1.2 inches in diameter, the pair weighs a substantial 10.31 grams.
Beautifully suited to everyday elegance or special occasions, these earrings offer a distinctive expression of traditional Navajo NANCY ELBY COLLECTION PROVENANCE
These earrings come from the collection of the late Nancy Elby, a respected participant in the Southwestern and American Indian art and antiques community.
Elby exhibited under “The Good Stuff” at the High Noon Western Americana show and was among the exhibitors at Santa Fe’s prestigious Whitehawk Antique Indian & Ethnographic Art Show.
I acquired the earrings from an individual in Phoenix, Arizona, who obtained them from Elby.
Nancy Elby → Phoenix individual → current owner
This provenance reflects their reported collection history and does not establish a particular maker or manufacturing TRADITIONAL HANDMADE NAVAJO SILVERWORK
The beauty of these earrings lies in their unusual construction.
Each twisted-wire silver hoop surrounds a freely suspended, pillow-shaped concho, carefully fashioned from two individually stamped and formed silver halves soldered together to create a hollow, three-dimensional ornament.
This construction closely resembles the traditional technique used to produce Navajo bench-made silver beads.
Deeply radiating flutes decorate both faces of each concho, creating beautiful variations in light and shadow as they move.
Subtle differences in dimensions, shaping and solderwork reflect their individually handmade character.
The earrings are unsigned, with no specific artist attribution claimed. Their circa 1950s–1960s dating is an estimate based on style and MEASUREMENTS & WEIGHT
Earring #1
* Total drop, including post assembly: 39.95 mm / 1.573”
* Twisted-wire hoop diameter, excluding post assembly: 30.65 mm / 1.207”
* Pillow concho diameter: 15.05 mm / 0.593”
Earring #2
* Total drop, including post assembly: 39.75 mm / 1.565”
* Twisted-wire hoop diameter, excluding post assembly: 30.35 mm / 1.195”
* Pillow concho diameter: 15.30 mm / 0.602”
Combined weight: 10.31 grams / 0.364 ounces
All measurements are approximate. Minor dimensional differences are characteristic of their handmade ORIGINAL POSTS / NEW HYPOALLERGENIC BACKS
Both earrings retain their original pierced posts.
The original plastic backs had become brittle and were deteriorating with age. They were replaced with brand-new hypoallergenic friction backs for comfortable, secure wear.
The original earrings and posts remain STERLING SILVER — JSP SCRATCH-STONE TESTED
Although unmarked, the earrings were personally tested using a JSP silver-testing stone and acid solution.
A small amount of metal was transferred from an inconspicuous area onto the testing stone. Acid was applied exclusively to the transferred metal streak.
No acid touched the earrings.
The test produced an immediate, strong blood-red reaction that remained unchanged throughout the five-minute observation period before disposal, consistent with sterling silver according to the JSP testing scale.
Based on these results, I am identifying the earrings as sterling silver.
They have not undergone professional XRF analysis or laboratory testing; the sterling identification is based on the JSP scratch-stone results described CONDITION
Very good vintage pre-owned condition, with beautiful, naturally developed silver patina and oxidation.
The twisted-wire hoops, hollow pillow conchos, connecting rings and original posts retain their distinctive appearance and construction.
Fine surface scratches, darker recessed areas, visible solderwork and subtle handmade irregularities reflect traditional fabrication, age and decades of wear.
Both conchos retain their sculptural three-dimensional form and sharply defined radial fluting.
The silver has not been aggressively polished, preserving its naturally aged character.
Original posts remain intact; only the deteriorated plastic backs were replaced with new hypoallergenic friction backs.
Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly the extreme close-ups, as they form an important part of the condition PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographed outdoors in natural daylight to accurately document the silverwork, patina, construction and condition.
Extreme macro photographs magnify fine scratches, tool marks, solderwork and other minute details beyond their appearance to the unaided eye.
Silver reflections, brightness and contrast may vary with lighting, viewing angle and individual screen settings.
Colors have not been digitally altered. Additional photographs or video are gladly available upon request.
Any coin pictured is for scale only and is not SHIPPING
* Ships same or next business day
* FREE USPS Ground Advantage within the United States
* Fully insured with tracking
* Carefully and securely packaged
* Ships in a sturdy cardboard box — never a bubble INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
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* Flat rate: $48.95
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Buyer is responsible for any customs duties, VAT, brokerage fees, tariffs, taxes or other import charges imposed by their OFFERS & RETURNS
All serious offers considered.
All sales are final unless the item has been grossly Navajo silverwork with a captivating sense of movement. 🩶🪶
With their sculptural twisted-wire hoops, gracefully dangling pillow conchos and Nancy Elby collection history, these earrings are a distinctive choice for anyone who appreciates vintage Southwestern jewelry and traditional Navajo craftsmanship.
