Vintage Southwestern Modernist Bench-Made Sterling Silver Linked Tube Chain Necklace 26"

This type of link chain would also be called a tube bead. Its design is characteristic of vintage mid-century modern or Taxco Mexican silver craftsmanship. A unique piece of wearable art featuring individual cylindrical bar segments interlinked together, creating a fluid, minimlist silhouette. Gemstone: The interlinked construction of the tubular beads require each tube to be hand-soldered or linked together with tiny pins. This necklace is hand-soldered. This technique creates a more fluid, durable drape across the collarbone. The hook and eye clasp is a hallmark of Native American (Southwest / Navajo / Kewa) or vintage Taxco Mexican handmade jewelry. The lack of any hallmarks is common for older, reservation-made Southwestern jewelry or historic artisan bench pieces where hallmarking laws were not strictly enforced. There is wear if you look really hard, but its still a striking piece of Southwestern artisan history.