I have a similar brooch, with the same hunting scene. The backing on this pc is Sterling Silver. I have an acid testing kit and this tested 100% Sterling Silver.
I have posted my peice on Dusty Old Thing, if you would like to view. I would like to keep in touch with information on these if you are interested. virginiacoombs@yahoo.com.
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Dreamtime stories by: Yvonne
Phyllis, thank you for the extra photos. Native American Indian style-techniques contradict the "oriental hunting deer scene" hand-painted on the front of the shell.
Indian jewelry is made by the American Indian craftsmen that live on reservations in wide areas of the United States, including, Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Santo Domingo (new mexico and arizona). Then you've got the Sioux (north dakota) Choctaw (mississippi), Seneca (new york).
Traditional Indigenous pieces such as the squash blossom necklace, naja, bola and conch belt are usually made of silver decorated with repousse work and turquoise stones. So, yes, your research is spot-on, this brooch is not Traditional American Indian jewelry.
However, more modern styles include gold settings, inlays of coral, jet and Mother-Of-Pearl, Shell and wood and Designs made by the overlay and Sand-Casting techniques.
Deer hunting was a big part of American culture. Historically the deer hunter has been portrayed as a cultural hero in natural history and unbelievable deerslayer tales have evolved around deer hunting as a result.
Native American Indian craftsmanship tinged with a touch of buck fever;-)
Australian Indigenous culture, share commonalities; life revolves around the Aboriginal Dream-time, represented in dreamtime stories in which dreamtime creations have their roots in legends passed on through story telling, (and artistic expressions such as jewelry) are highly symbolic and deeply personal and meaningful artistic expressions.
I am an antique dealer and this is definitely hand painted and not transfer. You can see the brush strokes and the blobs of paint at the beginning of strokes. Please view the pics and let me know what you think. Phyllis
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More Information Requested by: Yvonne
Phyllis, interesting... they don't look Native American from where Im sitting either. The Native Americans, as you probably know inherited their silversmithing jewelry skills from the Mexicans.
Phyllis, you say this piece is hand-painted. Transfers have been around for 200 years. Many "paintings" on porcelain are really transfers. Can you see any little dots with your jewelers loupe?
You can upload more photos of this piece in a follow-up submission, a close-up of the front and back would be great.
