Navajo Bennie Ration Sterling Silver and Red Spiny Oyster Maiden Ring

Description

Created in his signature style, this beautiful ring by Navajo silversmith Bennie Ration comprises sterling silver and very light red spiny oyste shell in the form of a maiden, or Kachina. The body of the piece is set with an oval red spiny oyster stone in a simple sterling silver bezel, which varies light red to almost wihte.  It is bordered at the base by a sterling silver rope pattern, followed by a sterling silver band stamped with fine lines and scallop designs and appliqued with two rows of sterling silver dots.  Protruding from the top of the body is a sterling silver maiden's head, featuring deeply grooved rectangular eyes and a round, appliqued mouth.  The forehead is stamped with vertical lines, representing hair, and the head bordered on each side by a sterling silver bun, also stamped with fine lines. Stone and silverwork are set on a split sterling silver shank that merges 1/4 of the way toward the back. 1 3/4" long x 5/8" wide. Fits ring size 7 1/4.