Archaic New Mexico Talisman Necklace with Flintknapped Stone Point, Hammered Sterling and Ancient Beads
A very primitive and bold statement piece with an emphasis on New Mexico. Silver with subtle earth tones and textures.
A very primitive and bold statement piece with an emphasis on New Mexico. Silver with subtle earth tones and textures.
A very primitive and bold statement piece with an emphasis on New Mexico. Silver with subtle earth tones and textures.
:: New Mexico Archaic ::
I love these gnarly prehistoric-looking pieces. They look like something that came out of a lost desert culture of the distant past…or the distant future. This one features a very unusual centerpiece, a knapped stone point made by the very talented Matt Lewis. Matt found this stone out on the West Mesa not far from here and it’s oolite, a fossil material. It’s done in the paleo style, an ancient type that existed long before the bow and arrow, and would have been used by hunters stalking the phenomenal megafauna that roamed these lands over 10,000 years ago. Flintknapping is very difficult to do and can be extremely technical—I tried it out a while ago and in so doing gained a healthy respect for the ancient (and contemporary) stoneworkers. A wrap of fine sterling silver wire serves as a bail for this point.
With it is a fine silver piece I made out of the old PMC (sorely missed), that’s molded from a pronghorn’s horn from Otero Mesa in the south of the state. On the other side is a beautiful polished ancient tooth from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska which is probably a seal’s, or perhaps walrus. Holding the cluster together is a silver element with naturally-shed deer antler.
The sterling chain above the pendant is hammered and wrapped sterling silver also. Two of my silver clay elements are on it: a disc with the impression of a fossil brachiopod I found in the Quebradas area near Socorro, and a crushed ring molded from sandstone at Chaco Canyon. Beads include pre-contact shell from South America, ancient African agate tube beads, ancient walrus ivory made into new beads from St. Lawrence Island, antique Gooseberry Venetian glass trade beads, and bone.
For desert spirits and fearless souls…
SIZE: 18” from the back of your neck to the end of the pendant assemblage. The assemblage itself is 7” long and the stone point is 2 7/8” long.
CARE: Immersion in water is not recommended. Wipe with a soft, damp cloth to clean. A silver polishing cloth may be used on the silver.
PACKAGING: This necklace will arrive giftwrapped in hand-decorated, Earth-friendly packaging, wrapped inside an organic cotton pouch. Please reuse or recycle the wrappings.
SHIPPING: Your talisman will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Shipping is always free.