Help on Native American ring...

[Crispin]

Hello folks,
This ring was identified as Native American by another TNET member. I found it in a very old area in Florida with heavy Spanish Influence. It was found next to an 1887 seated liberty dime and an 1880 indian cent. Also found with wheat pennies in the 1940's. There is a clear seam on the ring where it has been forged. It band varies in width as if it has been cut by hand. It could be very old or more modern. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

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[exahab]

My opinion would be hand forged yes but if indian it would be later due to the "Sterling" stamp and ER makers mark inside ring.

 

[releventchair]

Hard to see design. Is that Kokopelli incised or stamped on it?

 

[ghp95134]

I couldn't find your ER maker's mark here at the Indian Native American Jewelry Artists & South West Shop Hallmarks A to F site.

However, the italic Sterling stamp is found in four artists' hallmarks I found on another site here; dated between 1980 ~2001. I didn't see a silversmith with the initials ER -- but that's not to say the smith was not NA, or that the ring is not before 1980.

1985

2001

1996

1980


--Guy

 

[ghp95134]

Hard to see design. Is that Kokopelli incised or stamped on it?

The images open quite large on my screen, the designs are stamped.

--Guy

 

[gunsil]

The ring was made from a simple piece of readily available half-round wire, designs stamped in with design stamps, and bent round and silver soldered which is the seam you see. The italic sterling stamp is readily available form any major jewelry supply house and will not help identify the maker. The differences in width are merely made from the stamping, the metal was not cut out by hand, and I agree that it is likely 1970s or newer.

 

[Crispin]

Thanks a lot! Very educational. Now i know.

 

[unclemac]

Kokopelli was all the rage starting about 20-25 years ago...and yours is the standard modern image of him too.