Collier fleurs de courge
Gisela Hoffmann, Würzburg, Germany
Description
silver, 18 turquoises,
A characteristic “pumpkin blossom” necklace has a central pendant in the shape of an inverted crescent called “naja” by the Navajo. In addition, the chains are decorated with gemstones, which are floral and provided with pumpkin-shaped extensions.
The motif of the inverted crescent can be found in all cultures of the world and dates back to the Paleolithic. The Navajo are said to have adopted it from the Spaniards or the Plains Indians. For them, it is not a spiritual symbol, but is used purely decorative.
The processing of turquoise has an extraordinarily long tradition in the indigenous culture of the Southwestern United States. Already the early Anasazi, who lived in the settlement area of the today’s Pueblo indigenous peoples, are known to have already engaged in lively trade with the turquoises found in their area. The following Indian tribes of today’s Southwestern US, the Hopi, Zuni, Acoma, Navajo, Apache and others, use turquoise to make jewelery, as amulets and lucky charms. From generation to generation, myths and valuations around this stone were collected and transmitted orally.