Vintage ART LEWIS Choctaw Coin Silver Turquoise TOMAHAWK Motif Necklace Pendant For Sale

🪶 VINTAGE ART LEWIS “NEETA-LOOSA” TOMAHAWK PENDANT 🪶

Choctaw • Coin Silver • Turquoise • Documented Hallmark • Exceptional Hand-Wrought Construction

An extraordinary vintage Native American pendant by Choctaw silversmith Art Lewis, whose Choctaw name was Neeta-Loosa (“Black Bear”), featuring an expressive hand-wrought tomahawk motif and a substantial hand-cut turquoise nugget set into an individually formed silver bezel.

Lewis reportedly began making jewelry in 1929 and continued for decades before retiring sometime during the 1970s. His work is compelling for its intensely handmade character. Rather than exhibiting machine-like uniformity, this pendant preserves evidence of its creation throughout: individually struck stamps, irregularly formed silver elements, hand-worked surfaces, solder work, tool marks, pits, asymmetry and subtle variations from one decorative element to the next.

The reverse bears Lewis’ distinctive arrow beneath a small tepee hallmark, documented on page 185 of Bille Hougart’s Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th Edition.

At only approximately 1.976 inches long including its bail, this is a remarkably detailed little work of wearable sculpture—one that becomes increasingly fascinating the closer it is examined. THE TOMAHAWK MOTIF

The face is dominated by an intriguing dimensional tomahawk rendered in silver.

Rather than simply stamping the image into a flat surface, Lewis constructed the motif with considerable dimension. A long raised handle extends through the composition to a substantial tomahawk head decorated with individually struck impressions and surrounded by additional hand-formed ornament.

The surrounding composition incorporates numerous individually fabricated and applied elements, including silver drops, wirework, scroll-like forms, twisted-wire detailing and repeated radiating/fan-like stamped decorations.

No two impressions or components are perfectly identical. Differences in depth, alignment, shape and surface are readily visible under magnification and beautifully demonstrate the intensely handmade nature of the piece.

IMPORTANT: A visible line/seam appears immediately beneath the tomahawk head. Based upon its placement and the construction of the piece, this appears inherent to the original handmade fabrication rather than subsequent damage. It has been photographed closely and is specifically disclosed so buyers can examine it for THE TURQUOISE — POSSIBLY BISBEE

The pendant features a substantial hand-cut, natural-form turquoise nugget displaying beautiful bluish-green coloration with prominent chocolate-brown matrix.

Rather than being shaped into a conventional calibrated cabochon, the stone retains a wonderfully irregular, highly dimensional form and measures approximately 8.10mm / 0.319 inch at its measured thickness.

The turquoise measures approximately:

17.45 × 11.35 × 8.10mm

0.687 × 0.447 × 0.319 inch

Its irregular contours, richly contrasting matrix and substantial profile give the stone tremendous visual depth despite the pendant’s relatively compact dimensions.

The stone’s rich bluish-green coloration and prominent chocolate-brown matrix are visually suggestive of Bisbee turquoise. Bisbee is, in my opinion, an especially interesting possibility when considered alongside turquoise found in other period examples of Art Lewis’ work.

Based upon my examination, research and comparison with documented material, I believe Bisbee turquoise is a plausible identification for this stone. However, no original documentation accompanies the pendant identifying its mine origin, and turquoise mine origin generally cannot be established conclusively by appearance alone.

The stone is therefore offered simply as turquoise, with Bisbee presented solely as my informed opinion and a possible attribution—not a guarantee.

Small areas of clear material are visible on portions of the turquoise surface and are documented closely in the photographs.

I have observed similar clear material on other pieces by Art Lewis. Among collectors familiar with his work, one possibility discussed is that Lewis may occasionally have used some form of clear sealer or protective material on stones. However, this remains only a working theory. The composition, age and purpose of the clear material on this stone have not been scientifically determined, and I make no definitive representation regarding its origin or whether the turquoise would meet any modern gemological definition of “treated” or “stabilized.”

Importantly, the turquoise is tight and securely seated in its hand-formed bezel, with absolutely no detectable rattle, looseness or movement whatsoever when gently EXTRAORDINARY HAND-WROUGHT SILVERWORK

One of the most fascinating aspects of this pendant is the evidence of Art Lewis’ working process preserved throughout the silver.

According to an individual personally acquainted with Lewis who assisted with delivering jewelry he made, Lewis worked in an exceptionally hands-on manner—melting silver himself using an old-fashioned blowtorch and forming his jewelry by hand rather than beginning with commercially prepared sheet silver.

That oral history provides remarkable context for what can still be seen throughout this pendant.

The silver retains:

• Individually formed dimensional components

• Hand-struck decorative impressions

• Applied silver drops

• Hand-formed wire and scroll elements

• Twisted-wire detailing surrounding the turquoise

• Individually formed turquoise bezel

• Dimensional tomahawk construction

• Hand-formed bail

• Visible solder/fabrication evidence

• Irregular contours and subtle asymmetry

• Tool and working marks

• Small pits and surface irregularities

• Beautifully preserved oxidation and patina within recessed areas

Even under extreme magnification, the pendant never becomes mechanically perfect—and that is precisely part of its character.

The reverse is particularly fascinating because it retains abundant scratches, tool marks, pits, depressions, surface variation and other evidence associated with its handmade fabrication and subsequent history.

Nothing about this piece should be evaluated against the uniformity of modern factory-produced DOCUMENTED ART LEWIS HALLMARK

The reverse is fully hallmarked with Art Lewis’ distinctive arrow beneath a small tepee maker’s mark.

This hallmark is documented for Lewis in:

Bille Hougart

Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks

5th Edition — Page 185

Both elements of the hallmark remain readily identifiable, and detailed macro photographs have been included so buyers can examine the marks closely.

Art Lewis was a Choctaw silversmith whose Choctaw name was Neeta-Loosa (“Black Bear”). He reportedly began making jewelry in 1929 and, according to information provided by an individual personally acquainted with him, retired sometime during the 1970s.

The hallmark provides the central documented basis for the attribution of this pendant to SILVER TESTING

The pendant was non-invasively tested by the seller using a JSP silver acid test performed on metal transferred to a separate scratch stone.

No testing acid was applied directly to the pendant.

The test reaction was consistent with high-grade silver of approximately .900 coin-silver fineness or greater, based upon the seller’s interpretation of the JSP scratch-stone test.

Because this was a scratch-stone acid test rather than an XRF analysis or laboratory assay, the precise elemental composition and exact silver fineness have not been independently verified.

Accordingly, the pendant is described as coin silver / high-grade silver consistent with approximately .900 fineness or greater based upon the test performed, rather than representing an exact laboratory-certified ART LEWIS / NEETA-LOOSA & APPROXIMATE PERIOD

Art Lewis, whose Choctaw name was Neeta-Loosa (“Black Bear”), reportedly began making jewelry in 1929 and continued his craft for decades before retiring sometime during the 1970s.

This pendant is believed to date to approximately the 1960s.

Its attribution to Lewis is supported by the distinctive arrow-beneath-small-tepee hallmark documented in Bille Hougart’s Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks, 5th Edition, p. 185.

Additional information regarding Lewis’ working methods and retirement period comes from an individual personally acquainted with Lewis who assisted with delivering jewelry he made. This information represents valuable oral history and is identified as such rather than represented as information documented by Hougart.

The pendant’s intensely handmade construction, preserved fabrication evidence and distinctive design provide a remarkable physical record of Lewis’ individual approach to APPROXIMATE MEASUREMENTS

• Total weight: 14.76 grams / 0.521 ounces

• Pendant including bail: approximately 50.20 × 25.10mm / 1.976 × 0.988 inches at widest point

• Turquoise: approximately 17.45 × 11.35 × 8.10mm / 0.687 × 0.447 × 0.319 inch

• Bail inner opening: approximately 7.3 × 4.1mm / 0.287 × 0.161 inch

A U.S. Mercury dime is shown in photographs solely for visual scale and is not included with the pendant.

No chain or necklace is included unless specifically stated otherwise.

All measurements were taken by hand and should be considered CONDITION

This remarkable vintage pendant has been lovingly preserved and retains extensive surface character associated with its age, previous use and intensely handmade construction.

The silver displays scratches, scuffs, small marks, pits, surface irregularities, oxidation/patina, solder/fabrication evidence, tool marks and variations in finish throughout. Many of these characteristics are particularly visible under the extreme magnification used in the listing photographs.

I have not cleaned, polished or otherwise altered this pendant in any way. I do not clean or polish vintage Native American jewelry. Its existing patina, oxidation and surface character have intentionally been left undisturbed.

The turquoise retains a beautiful polish and displays matrix, inclusions, irregularities and surface character. Small areas of unidentified clear material are present on portions of the stone and are clearly shown in the macro photographs. As discussed above, their precise composition, age and purpose are unknown.

The stone remains tight and securely seated in its bezel with absolutely no detectable rattle, looseness or movement when gently checked.

A visible line/seam is present immediately beneath the tomahawk head. Based upon its placement and the construction of the pendant, this appears inherent to the original handmade fabrication and is not believed to represent subsequent damage. It has intentionally been photographed closely for buyer examination.

The handmade bail remains attached and functional.

No restoration or repair is known to me.

The front, reverse, turquoise, bezel, bail, hallmark, tomahawk and individual silver components have intentionally been photographed closely from numerous angles so buyers can evaluate their condition and construction.

Please examine all photographs carefully at full resolution, as they form an important part of the condition PHOTOGRAPHY & COLOR

The listing photographs were taken outdoors at approximately 5:30 PM in open shade, with the pendant positioned on a natural pine board.

This setup was intentionally chosen to provide soft, indirect natural light while avoiding the harsh reflections, glare and strong contrast that direct sunlight can produce on polished turquoise and aged silver. The neutral, natural wood surface also provides a consistent background against which the turquoise, chocolate-brown matrix, silverwork and patina can be evaluated.

The photographs are intended to document the pendant as faithfully as possible, including the turquoise color and matrix, surface character, hallmark, patina, hand-working marks, solder/fabrication evidence and minute irregularities inherent to its handmade construction.

The turquoise displays beautiful bluish-green coloration with chocolate-brown matrix. Its apparent color, depth, saturation, contrast and surface reflections may change depending upon natural or artificial lighting, viewing angle and surrounding environment.

Colors may also display differently depending upon individual screen and device settings.

Several photographs were taken at close range or under magnification to disclose fine details that may be substantially less apparent to the unaided eye.

Please review the entire photograph set when evaluating the turquoise, silverwork, construction, surface characteristics, color and overall PLEASE NOTE

This is a vintage, individually handmade Native American object rather than modern factory-produced jewelry.

Natural asymmetry, irregular contours, varying stamp impressions, pits, tool marks, solder/fabrication evidence, surface wear, scratches, oxidation, patina and other variations are part of the physical character and history of the piece.

The attribution to Art Lewis is supported by his documented maker’s hallmark as referenced above. The approximately 1960s date and additional biographical/workshop information reflect available information and oral history but should not be interpreted as an independently documented exact production date for this particular pendant.

The possible Bisbee turquoise attribution reflects my personal examination, research and comparison with documented material. No original mine documentation accompanies the pendant, and the stone has not been independently provenance-matched to Bisbee. Accordingly, Bisbee is presented solely as a possible identification and not as a guarantee of mine origin.

The clear material visible on portions of the turquoise has not been scientifically analyzed. Its composition, age and purpose therefore remain unknown.

The silver test was performed using metal transferred to a separate scratch stone and JSP testing solution; no acid was applied directly to the pendant. The exact silver fineness has not been established by XRF analysis or laboratory assay.

All measurements were taken by hand and should be considered approximate.

Please review the complete description, measurements and all photographs carefully before purchasing. I am happy to answer reasonable questions or provide additional photographs prior to purchase. 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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• USPS Priority Mail International

• 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 misrepresented.

Please review the complete description, measurements and photographs carefully before purchasing. Questions are always welcome prior to A REMARKABLE SURVIVING EXAMPLE OF ART LEWIS’ WORK 🩵🪶

A rare opportunity to acquire a wonderfully preserved vintage Choctaw Art Lewis / Neeta-Loosa (“Black Bear”) tomahawk pendant combining a documented maker’s hallmark, intensely hand-wrought silver construction and a beautiful dimensional bluish-green turquoise nugget with rich chocolate-brown matrix.

The stone’s coloration and matrix make Bisbee turquoise an intriguing possibility, although the mine attribution remains unconfirmed and is expressly presented only as an informed opinion.

From the irregular hand-struck decoration and individually formed silver elements to the tool marks, patina and fabrication evidence still preserved across its surfaces, this is a piece whose character becomes more compelling under magnification rather than less.

It is not simply a vintage turquoise pendant—it is a remarkably tactile surviving example of the hand, tools and working methods of an identifiable Native American silversmith whose jewelry-making career reportedly began nearly a century ago. 🪶🩵