Indian stuff?

Thank you so much for looking. I am certain it's Navajo, as my dad bought all of these on a southwest trip in the mid-1970s. I was a teenager, but I never remember him wearing any of these.

Well, but of course!

The leather lariat thingy can be removed..

 

So true, that's why I'm thinking I may need a tax write off more than I need the headache of selling it, especially since I cannot sell it on FBM, ebay, etsy.

If anyone knows WHERE ONLINE I may be able to offload it inexpensively, I'd be thrilled to check out a new selling website!

 

Just for fun....

Black bear claws


Grizzly bear claws.


Cougar claws.

https://www.clawantlerhide.com/claws

Raptor talons (reproductions).

https://boneclones.com/product/raptor-talons-set-of-6-KO-024

 

Atkinson Trading Co

 

i would think a local listing would get this sold..

 

I'm with you guys on this........ I can't add to what AJ says....

 

Thank you, 2manybooks! I am going to guess these are black bear claws.
Just ick, not my cuppa!

OH EXCELLENT, no need to look any further! Thanks!

I will have to research what CL allows to have sold in the way of bear claws, thanks Komo for the local suggestion. I can also list a free ad in the newspaper, but I have no idea if anyone still reads them!

Can members list this type of thing for sale here in Antiquers?

I don't want a lot for it, and someone with interest would probably prefer to clean it themselves..

 

They can, although I am not sure many people look at the Sell forum. But it is always worth a try.

 

I doubt they do, I never have!

I am pretty sure FBM has a policy against animal parts for sale too.

 

I've debated all day whether to post about this item, since I don't want to "step on anyone's toes," or contradict respected members. On the other hand, though, I feel that out of respect for traditional Navajo craftspeople, the following should be considered.

First, thank you to @komokwa, for pointing out that the stamp is a shop mark for Atkinson Trading Company. Shop-marked items, especially if they have no additional stamps or names, usually mean that there is no tribal affiliation.

Trading companies can employ anyone. Even if they do hire Native American workers, the work is usually directed, in that the items made are not designed by the worker, but instead are produced to the specifications of the owner of the company. Bell Trading Company is a well-known example, and their products cannot be sold as "Native American."

This is likely not Navajo, though, for several additional reasons. Most importantly, not all Native American tribes have the same customs or beliefs. Despite what one can read online, the bear is not universally the same symbol to all tribes. There simply is no "Native American tradition" when it comes to bears.

To the Navajo, bears represent a spiritual guide, with supernatural powers. There are numerous taboos associated with them. In addition, many traditional Navajos believe they are ancestors of a sort.

As a traditional Navajo jewelry maker explained to me, a true Navajo would never use bear claws in their work, since it would be "like cutting off your grandfather's fingers," and wearing them. Just working with them would also be very dangerous to the maker, and could result in "bear sickness," which would require a 9 day Mountainway Ceremony in an attempt to cure.

Nevertheless, "bear claw" jewelry has been very popular in the Southwest, even if it is not Navajo- made. Other tribes don't have similar beliefs about bears. Plus in the 1970s, when Native American "style" was popular, hundreds of non-Indian craftspeople produced a lot of it for the "hippie" generation, and for tourists.

 

Ouch.....my toes !!!! ............................................ just Kidding !!!!!

 

I definitely don’t approve of this but similar are sold all day long as Vintage Southwestern Sterling Silver Coral Turquoise Bolo Tie Signed. Claws are usually not mentioned but when they are they’re disclosed as badger.

 

I have mixed feelings on this. The piece is obviously (to me) vintage and I’m no expert on the animal claw but nothing is going to bring it back at this point and I don’t see why the piece can’t be sold. Bear parts are illegal in CA so they’re illegal on ebay but they’re not illegal in all states. My dad had a major claw bracelet that he legally sold to a dealer in the NW. I feel the same way about fur. I would never buy new fur but see no reason why preowned fur can’t be sold and worn. I think the world has gone over the top on sensitivity in general. I can’t come to terms on how people think it’s OK to pollute the planet with petroleum based synthetic fibers for warmth but they can’t wear the skin of a long dead animal without fear of being harassed.

 

I agree.

That is another thing, people don't realize how much they affect the planet by using fake fur and other synthetic materials 'out of principle'. If they would do the research, also into the resulting water, air and soil pollution etc, they would come to a different conclusion.

 

Couldn’t agree more AJ. I think people are incredibly misdirected. I’m old so I’ll be gone before the full effects of this damage will be seen but I know for every day I’ve regretted not having children I know that when it’s my time I’ll not be leaving bloodlines to deal with this man made disaster that could have totally been pushed back.

I want to live in our world and definitely use technology but I do believe we have become way too dependent on it. Plastics which were the genius of post WWll are polluting the planet. We recycle as much as possible but still...

It’s a constant fight with my vegan friends. I can relate to not wanting to eat animals. I eat led and less but still need an occasional burger but I don’t understand their support of synthetic fiber over leather e.g. At some point one needs to think about the use of the full food animal over the destruction of the environment. No one needs to kill any animal for its skin-there’s enough preowned fur on this planet to be recycled for a very long time but IMO food animals should be fully used.

 

Maybe you can show them this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_the_Niger_Delta

It is just one of the many ecological and humanitarian disasters in the world, caused by our demand for oil and petroleum derived products.

I wear vintage and antique jewellery because it is beautiful and doesn't fund any (current) wars or exploit (child)workers, and most of my clothes are also second hand.

 

If I eat it, I'll wear it. So leather is fine. My eco thing is massively recycling and reusing. Car boot sales! I also moderate a local Freegle community, and run a massive local Facebook page, where I actively encourage wants and giveaways.

 

This really isn't the issue here, though. The topic is related to the specific Navajo traditional and cultural respect regarding the bear...not all animals, not fur, not vegan vs. meat eaters, not climate change, or any other problem the world faces. It concerns an explanation of why the item posted was probably not made by a Navajo.

There is a lack of understanding on the part of many individuals in this country, that there is no one "Native American culture." Every tribe is an independent, sovereign nation, with its own historical traditions, beliefs, and customs, which often vary dramatically between tribes. The Navajo, for example, do not regard the bear in the same way the Shoshone do. The one thing they all have in common, though, is that the bear probably carries more symbolic and spiritual importance, to all tribes, than any other animal. It's just that the way that is interpreted and acted upon varies considerably.

Although bear claws may be part of many tribes' cultural use, because of the specific taboos followed by the Navajo, a Navajo tribal member who closely follows beliefs and traditions of their tribe would not wear a bear claw as personal adornment, or make something for someone else to wear.

 

\]

I do understand and definitely am guilty of the segue that led off topic. I didn’t know that wasn’t allowed. Apologies.

 

TY and I will save it in my phone.