Necklace, Thunderbird, Santo Domingo Depression, Battery Bird, With Matching Earrings, Vintage, 1940's, 3453

A WORK OF ART AND A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY.

"During the Great Depression of the 1930s, Native American artists often used scrap materials including 78 rpm phonograph records, car battery casings (hard rubber), and red plastic dinnerware such as Dairy Queen spoons. This collectible, museum-quality tab necklace and earrings are a great example of Depression Era jewelry." (courtesy Horsekeeping, LLC)

This vintage thunderbird necklace dates back to the 1940s. It’s a very unusual piece, featuring mosaic inlay of a thunderbird, crafted using resourceful materials, like battery casing and gypsum, as well as tiny pieces of turquoise that in more prosperous times might have been discarded. The string of beads is adorned with small triangular tabs crafted from the same materials. It also has matching earrings.

KNOWN FOR HIS ORIGINAL STONE SETS AND ONE-OF-A-KIND JEWELRY, OSCAR BETZ IS MOST FAMOUS FOR PERFECTING THE FEATHERWEIGHT SOUTHWEST CHANDELIER EARRING. 

Despite their large scale, Betz’s earrings are easy to wear, perfectly balanced, and always set with a beautiful mix of stones. Prolific in the ’70s and ’80s, Oscar’s pieces are now actively sought out and purchased by Hollywood celebrities, including Liz Taylor, 7th Ave. designers, including Ralph Lauren, and collectors of fine Southwest jewelry. His work remains in high demand today.  

These colorful creations are vibrant vintage Oscar Betz earrings featuring stunning stones of bold blue lapis, turquoise, and orange spiny oyster. Each stone is hand-cut and set by the artisan. Hinged for light movement, these statement earrings are classic clip-on.

Oscar Betz (1954-; Anglo), Stone sets; stamp work.

Mark: Oscar Betz (script)

Santa Fe, New Mexico artist, Oscar Betz, has been a favorite of collectors and celebrities since the 1970s.  

He is known for his original stone sets and one of a kind jewelry and is famous for perfecting the featherweight, Southwest Chandelier earring.

• affiliation: Santo Domingo
  
• materials: gypsum, turquoise, found objects
• dimensions: 32", earrings 1"
• weight: 145
• french wire
• nice vintage condition
  
• light wear from ethnographic use
• style number: JN3453