Kewa Pueblo Turquoise & Shell Bench Bead Necklace

Lot description

Native American necklace, signed BH, likely Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo, central spiny oyster shell pendant set with turquoise cabochons, on a strand of graduated silver (content unknown) bead beads, some bench beads separating along center seam, approx 27"l, 46.2 grams (inclusive of all materials) Provenance: From the estate of Dorothy Jean McPhaul, whose small East Austin antique shop, Johnnie’s Antiques, has survived for generations despite rapid city expansion. McPhaul, a true lover of all things antique and a retired educator with a 40-year tenure at the LaGrange Public School system, personally collected African American memorabilia, jewelry, glassware, pottery, amongst other rare and fine antiques. Established by McPhaul’s grandfather, Simon Sidle, in 1918, Johnnie’s Antiques is among the last vintage properties on East 6th Street, and notable as one of the first black-owned businesses in Austin. After assuming proprietorship in 1999, Dorothy followed in the family tradition as a fixture of the Texas antique sale circuit.