Squash Blossom Necklaces
Squash blossom necklaces evolve from an ancient tradition that includes Moorish Spain, the Conquistadores, and the Navajos. The Spanish Conquistadores, who taught silversmithing to the Mexican and American Indians, arrived in the Southwest with magnificent horses wearing incredible silver trappings, including 'Naja' symbols.
The Naja is a heavy cast piece of a single or double crescent. The Naja, like the cross, swastika, or ankh, is an ancient symbol that crops up, independent of time or culture, in parts of the world as divergent as ancient Crete, Rome, Africa, and Moorish Spain. Najas embellished the bridles of the Conquistadors who thought they could ward off the evil eye.
The ten elongated 'Squashblossom' pendant/beads are 7/8" long and many believe the Navajos first saw similar design motifs on Spanish trouser and jacket ornaments. They had silver pomegranate charms that dangled from short chains on their garments. Others argue that this element was influenced by indigenous plants of the Southwest.
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