Lot 212: Sterling Silver Southwestern Petroglyph Man Pin

Description

A whimsical sterling silver brooch cut and formed into the shape of a stylized human figure with wild, spiky hair, raised arms with splayed fingers, and curling, dancer-like feet. The design draws directly on ancient rock art traditions of the American Southwest, where petroglyph and pictograph figures with raised arms and radiating hair or headdresses appear across sites left by Ancestral Puebloan, Fremont, and other early cultures of the region — imagery that continues to inspire contemporary Southwestern and Native American-style silverwork today. Hand-cut and lightly textured rather than cast, the piece has an energetic, almost joyful quality, as if the little figure were caught mid-dance or mid-celebration. Its bold graphic silhouette reads well from a distance and makes it an easy conversation piece on a jacket lapel, scarf, or bag. No maker's mark is legible on this example, so it is offered as unsigned sterling silver in the Southwestern petroglyph style.

Condition Report:

Good vintage condition, wear commensurate with age. The silver shows scattered dark tarnish/oxidation, particularly across the torso and pin back, along with light overall surface wear consistent with handling. The pin mechanism (roll-over clasp) is intact and functions securely. No breaks, repairs, or losses noted to the cut silver form.

Keywords:

Sterling silver brooch, petroglyph pin, Southwestern jewelry, rock art design, Native American style pin, dancing figure brooch, unsigned sterling jewelry, folk art silver pin, figural brooch, tribal style jewelry

Dimensions: H: 2", W: 1.75"