Medallion necklace

NameNecklace

Artist Artist Not Recorded

Date19th-early 20th Century

Place collectedNew Mexico, United States, North America

MediumGold metal

Dimensions15 3/4 in. (40 cm)
"40 cm. long overall"

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Museum purchase, A8.1957.5

Object numberA8.1957.5

ProvenanceNecklace aquired from Mrs. Leandro Herrera of San Juan (and Chamita) Sep., 1957, for $200.00, by N.M. funds for accessions. Mrs. Herrera stated that she bought it from Mrs. Jaramillo of El Rito in about 1922 when Mrs. Jaramillo needed money. Mr. Herrera also said that there was formerly another gold necklace with green set owned by a family named Garcia, who lived "near Espanola" and sold it to a Mrs. Pfaeffle of "Alcalde, and Boston." Is it possible that this necklace is the one now in H.S.N.M. collections, presented by Miss Mary C. Wheelwright or was there still a third necklace? Venceslado Jaramillo died about 1922 leaving many debts.

DescriptionMade of large central medallion in rosette form, and 14 small rosette links, seven on each side. Medallion has a convex ribbed base of plain gold wire in arabesques, eight petals of plain, solid gold, each attached at both ends to under frame. Pendant below this is oval, 2.5 x 1.5 cm., of smooth, convex gold centre and plain wire scalloped edges. Centre of medallion is a daisy form, 14 petals of twisted filigree framing a paste "emerald" set 1.3 x 1 cm. The centre daisy and set are pinned to medallion by a paper-fastener device of wires run from shank of set to back of medallion and clinched open.
Necklace incorporates different colored gold in small rosettes- red and yellow. These have plain wire scallops on edges and twisted filigree petal forms on solid bosses- each finished with qa gold drop which is attached with clinched wire paper-fastener devices as with large medallion.