We first bought such necklaces from Eugene Hale in 2007 and he continued to supply them to us through the spring of 2011; then we lost contact with him. Now he is teaching his son, Chris Hale, to smith silver. Made just as his father made these necklaces, Chris is even using his father's hallmark at this time.
For the last couple of years, Chris has mostly been making naja necklaces on shorter strands of beads. This necklace is full-length and incorporates beautifully handmade, stamped squash blossoms up the sides of the necklace and two tiers of handmade beads. The sandcast naja pendant is set with a large free-form stone of natural Kingman turquoise and two smaller Kingman stones at the opening of the naja. A fleur-de-lis tops the naja above the large stone.
No hallmark on this piece, but we guarantee that it is made by Chris Hale.
Stones: top 13/16" x 1/2"; 2 stones 1/2" x 3/8"
Naja: 2 1/2" across; 3" from top to bottom
Handmade Beads: (118 count) 3/8" running length; 7/16" diameter
Length of bead necklace (excluding naja): 29"
Strung on braided steel chain |