Calvin Peterson Navajo Eagle pendant

Sterling Silver Eagle pendant. Stamped with Hallmark Sun behind Cloud for Artist Calvin Peterson, Navajo. 1 3/4” long and 3/4” wide. 1/4" bail opening will accomodate a chain or cable. • Native American overlay pieces are made of two layers of sterling silver. The bottom layer is a solid piece while the top layer has a cutout design. The cutout layer is placed over the bottom layer and the two pieces are "sweated" together, heated so that they become one solid piece of sterling silver. The bottom layer, or background, that shows through the cut out portion of the top layer is often darkened for contrast. Navajo artists often leave the background smooth. Navajo silversmiths tend to create scenes depicting everyday life using people, animals, buildings and landscapes to tell a story - this style is called "overlay storyteller jewelry”