Description: THE NECKLACEThis necklace is made of brain tanned leather and otter fur. Twenty-one hand-made faux (imitation) Plains grizzly bear claws are attached to and spaced around the otter fur core. (see discussion for historic faux precedents in museum collections) The claws were handmade from a proprietary clay, then finished; each claw has individual characteristics. The blackened underside is like a real claw that would have had constant contact with soil. The claws are spaced with antique red trade beads and turquoise padre beads. The necklace is about 22" long. It is 14” wide at the center of the front necklace. NOTE: This listing is for the necklace only. The stone and necklace display mount are NOT included. THIS IS A ONE-TIME OFFERING. There won't be a make an offer or reduced price. GRIZZLY BEAR and NECKLACE HISTORY Grizzly bear claw necklaces, especially those necklaces made from the extinct Plains Grizzly, have always been prized possessions of Native American Indians. Plains claws were more attractive than the more common mountain grizzly bear claws because they were strikingly uniform in their light, yellow color. Additionally, they were considerably longer. They grew longer because the Plains grizzly moved about in a territory with softer soil while the mountain grizzly tended to wear his claws down in a more mountainous habitat. The Plains grizzly became virtually extinct more than 145 years ago. In later years, with the depletion of the Great Plains Grizzly Bear, many tribes made claw necklaces from Rocky Mountain Grizzly bear claws or from carved elk antler, hoof or wood. One Elkhorn faux grizzly bear claw necklace was collected in 1838 and resides in the American Museum of Natural History. Another faux grizzly bear claw necklace was collected among the Crow and dates to the 1870s is made of horse hooves carved in the shape of bear claws. There are several faux grizzly bear claw necklaces in Harvard’s Peabody Museum collections, and Feder and Chandler note that necklaces of this type are neither uncommon nor a recent phenomenon. NARRATIVE REFERENCES Feder, Norman and Milford G. Chandler. 1961. “Grizzly Claw Necklaces”. American Indian Tradition Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 1. Please look at all of the photos carefully as these are part of the description. I can send more photos of specific elements. If there are questions, please ask. All Items are sold "as is". I WILL ACCEPT RETURNS FOR ANY REASON IF YOU CONTACT ME WITHIN 3 DAYS AND IS SHIPPED BACK WITHIN 5 BUSINESS DAYS OF ITEM ARRIVING - BUYER PAYS ALL RETURN SHIPPING COSTS. Item must be returned in same condition received. I combine shipping. Please wait for an invoice if you purchase multiple items. SHIPPING IS _$18.00____TO ALL U.S. STATES. I will determine the best shipping method when the item is packed. Contact me if you want upgraded shipping which will be added on to the purchase price. All other U.S. entity I ship at cost - I don't add handling fees or profit into my shipping.
Price: 750 USD
Location: Minden, Nevada
End Time: 2024-11-11T02:00:01.000Z
Shipping Cost: 18 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 14 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Culture: Native American: US
Handmade: Yes
