FRANK PATANIA \"Thunderbird\" Charm Bracelet Sterling Silver w/Turquoise & Coral


FRANK PATANIA \

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FRANK PATANIA \"Thunderbird\" Charm Bracelet Sterling Silver w/Turquoise & Coral :
$813.00


OldFrank Patania Thunderbird Shop

Four Charm Bracelet - Sterling Silver

Charms signed with the correct \"Thunderbird\", \"FP\",and\"STERLING\" Hallmarks

\"Snap Hinged\"Bracelet Clasp

Dimensions

Bracelet

7\" total length- Links are .27\"X .58\" - Shown on a 6\" wrist - Hallmarked STERLING

Sterling Silver Charms

1.26\"d. \"AOW\" Overlay (N w/line, T-Bird,Embossed FP, STERLING)

.99\"d. \"61 RMO\" w/ Mediteranian Coral (Embossed FP, T-Bird, STERLING)

.87\"d. \"RMO\" w/Ajax or Blue Gem Turquoise (FP, STERLING)

1.13\"d. \"50\" withGolf Clubsw/Ajax or Blue Gem Turquoise (T-Bird, FP, STERLING)

2.25\" diameter

49.5grams =1.59 Troy ounces

(all measurement are approximate)

The US Quarter (.95\"=24mm)is for scale

Frank Patania Thunderbird Shop Charm Bracelet

I collected the bracelet several years ago. At that time it only had two charms on it. After some more searching,I have found two additional Frank Patania Thunderbird Shop charms to complete the collection. The Sterling Silver Link Braclet itself is notsigned. I do not believe that the link Bracelet was made in the Thunderbird Shop. Two of the charms have stones that may befrom the Blue Gem or Ajax Mines and one has a spectacular Meditaranian Coral. It seems that the golf themedcharm has to do with breaking a score of 50. I sure hope this golfer wasn\'tonly playing 8 holes! FrankPatania Jr. told me that the \"RMO\" pendants were made of the \"Rocky Mountain Oyster Club\" here in Tucson. Are you alsocurious about the stories of at least three charming owners?

I hope you like it!

A note about Patania and Thunderbird Shop Hallmarks

Frank Patania Jr. has been living in Tucson, Arizona with his wife Donna for many years. I visited with them recently and Frank was kind enough to take the time to share his portfolio of pictureswith me.It contained picturesofmajor pieces of jewelry, and everything from religious articles, to contemporary bead work. I also saw recent jewelry creations that ranged from aprimitive tufa castring (that just happened to fit me perfectly) to a ring that would be quite cherished by the head ofstate of Vatican City!

Frank kindly took the time to clear up some misunderstandings thatI have shared with other members of thejewelry collecting community. Donna and Frank encouraged me to spend some time becoming familiar with an article Frank Jr. wrote in August of 1992 in collaboration with other Patania family members in an effort to set the record straight on the use of various Hallmarks by his family. He assuredme today thatit is, \"Subject to revision in the future\" but is the best source that there is, or asFrank says in the article, \"I believe that we are the most qualified to present the history of our hallmarks\". Here is the link to an informative and entertainingstory written by Frank Patania Jr.

* A History of the Patania and ThunderbirdShop Hallmarks

Frank Patania Sr.

Frank Patania was born in 1899 or 1900 in Mesina, Italy. He came to New York about 20 years later and became infected with Turbererculosis in his early 20\'s and then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the perceived thearaputic Environment of the dryer Southwest. In 1927, he opened his \"Thunderbird Curios Shop\" that later became the famous \"Thunderbird Shop\". He ran it with his wife Aurora. They had three children.

As a jewelry designer, his move to Santa Fe was quite dramatic for him. Billie Hougart stated, \"...Patania established a style of handcrafted Southwest American jewelry by blending European silversmith technology with Native American design, a combination that would provide a foundation for excellence in style and artisanship.\"

In 1937 a second \"Thunderbird Shop\" was opened in Tucson, Arizona. In 1964 Frank Patiania Sr. died and the Santa Fe shop closed. It was reopened by his son Frank Patania Jr. in 1968. Frank Patania Jr. had a son named Sam in 1959 and he still lives in Tucson. All three Patania\'s works are on permanent display at the Smithsonian\'s Renwick Gallery and are well represented in many collections. Franks Patania\'s work was a favorite of Georgia O\'Keefe, for instance.I\'m proud to live in Tucson myself and enjoy the FrankPatania traditon as carried on by Frank Jr., Michael Contreras, Carlos Diaz, and Sam Patania.

With such now famous and influential artists as Charles Begay, Joe H. Quintana, Julian Lavato, Alberto Contreras, Mark Chee, Jimmy Herald, Lewis Lomayestewa, and others working for and with him, I can only imaginea creative Environmentthat would not be found elsewhere in modern times. My personal opinion is that the influence of this American-Italian Master on 20th CenturyNative American jewelryis as profound and impactfull as that of anyone.

Many look at the influences of such artists as Charles Lolomaand Kenneth Begay and their role in the direction of contemporary jewelry. It was Frank Patania that made the craft anddesign disciplines a part of Native American contemporary jewelry and brought it to a world-wide audience that is stillreceptive to innovation and art.

This Frank Patania Thunderbird Shop Charm Bracelet has awarmlighttarnish. I\'ve been unable to find any issues to be of concern.. I believe that you will be pleased!

This amazingCharm Braceletisfull of character and will berecognized by many people. When you take a look at the pictures, please inspect theBracelet Charmscarefully for the fine detail in both design and execution. Like all Patania Jewelry that originated in the famous Thunderbird Shops, it isverywell made. Your friendsmay compliment you and your taste in Pataniajewelry.If you like this,I hope you will consider owning and enjoying it.

If you appreciatePatania jewelry like I do, you may enjoy viewing the other Patania items that I have for sale in my store...

Thanks!

Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...

Reccomended Reference Books - Thisartist isreferenced if there is a page # shown below

\"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I\" - Gregory Schaff

\"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L\" - Gregory Schaaf

\"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST\"- Barton Wright - page 131

\"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER\" -Billie Hougart - page261

\"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE\"- Bell- Volume 1-3

reference only FP26


FRANK PATANIA \"Thunderbird\" Charm Bracelet Sterling Silver w/Turquoise & Coral :
$813.00

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