Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
The piece is clearly stamped 'H. Spencer STERLING' with a feather motif, a known hallmark for Navajo silversmith Harry Spencer. The materials (sterling silver, carved turquoise, and mother of pearl) and construction (heavy gauge silver backing, channel inlay, twisted wire talons) are consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century Navajo craftsmanship. Confidence is high (0. 9) due to the clear, verifiable maker's mark and fineness stamp.
Story
This piece is attributed to Harry Spencer (H. Spencer), a recognized Navajo silversmith active in the mid-to-late 20th century. His work is highly regarded for its heavy-gauge sterling silver and intricate channel inlay, frequently featuring eagle or bird-in-flight motifs. The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century signed Navajo silver remains robust, particularly for figural pieces featuring turquoise and mother of pearl inlay. Buyers are highly active on specialized auction platforms and Native American jewelry retail sites.
Maker / Origin
Harry Spencer (H. Spencer)
Condition & Value
Based on the provided evidence, the necklace appears to be in good vintage condition with intact turquoise and mother of pearl inlay. The silver shows a natural, unpolished patina typical of its era.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-to-late 20th-century signed Navajo silver remains robust, particularly for figural pieces featuring turquoise and mother of pearl inlay. Buyers are highly active on specialized auction platforms and Native American jewelry retail sites. While generic or unmarked pieces have softened in recent years, clearly hallmarked works by recognized silversmiths like Harry Spencer maintain steady demand and consistent pricing.
▲ Clear 'H. Spencer STERLING' hallmark confirms maker identity and material fineness.
▲ Intact turquoise and mother of pearl inlay with no visible missing stones.
▲ Popular 'eagle in flight' figural motif drives strong collector demand.
▼ Unverified total weight — a lighter-than-average gauge could push the value toward the $250 floor.
▼ Unverified wingspan and chain length — smaller dimensions typically command lower prices.
▼ Unverified clasp condition — a damaged or replaced clasp could deter collectors.
Best Venue
List this piece on a specialized Native American jewelry platform or a well-curated estate auction to maximize visibility among collectors. A starting bid or reserve around $250 will protect the baseline value, while a fixed-price retail listing could be priced closer to $450. Do not polish the silver, as collectors generally prefer the original vintage patina.
Upside Potential
If the necklace is exceptionally large (e. g., a wingspan exceeding 4. 5 inches) and heavy (over 50 grams), it could command a premium retail price closer to the $550 mark observed in high-end boutique listings.
Also found — market-range context
Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.