Old Frank Patania Sr. ~Native American Sterling Silver Spoon ~Thunderbird Shop~

Description

T
his auction is for a small, old hallmarked sterling spoon with a turquoise on the handle.  The Native American spoon is marked "sterling" with a wonderful, old hallmark of a Thunderbird. The hallmark is from the Thunderbird Shop which was founded in 1927 by Frank Patania, Sr.  Frank and many talented Navajo artisans created sterling silver pieces for the shop.  The original Thunderbird Shop was in located in Sante Fe, NM with a second shop established later in Tuscon, AZ.
The spoon is small at under 4".  There is a lovely turquoise on the top of the handle and three engraved lines at the bottom of the handle.  This is a very special spoon made with pride perhaps for a treasured baby.
Frank Patania, Sr. was an early entrepreneur in the southwest.  He made Native American arts & crafts available to visitors and residents starting in 1927.  My parents probably acquired the spoon in NM in the 1930s.  The little spoon is in very good vintage condition with expected wear.  There are surface scratches.  The turquoise is undamage and secure in the setting.  The handle is not bent.
Specifics:
Design:  Traditional Navajo sterling silver work set with turquoise
Marked:  "Sterling" with Thunderbird Shop hallmark
Lenth of handle:  3 5/8"
Width of handle at widest point:  5/8"
Weight:  7.6 grams
This is a great opportunity to acquire an early sterling silver spoon handcrafted in old New Mexico at the famous Thunderbird Shop.  The old hallmark of a Thunderbird Shop adds to the collectors' value of the spoon.  It would be a very nice addition to a collection of Native American arts and antiques.
Full USPS insurance coverage. Your purchase will be packaged with great care using new bubble wrap and a sturdy new cardboard box.  I usually ship daily except for Sundays and holidays.  Any excess shipping costs paid over actual cost will be
refunded to the  buyer.
Sold in the US only.  No international bids, please.  Will not ship outside the US.
I do not accept returns unless I make a significant error in describing this Frank Patania, Sr. sterling spoon.  Please make note of this policy before bidding.  Please examine the photos to assess the condition for yourself.
This auction is for the sterling Thunderbird Shop spoon only as described above.  Other items shown in the photos are for display purposes only.