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A magnificent large Navajo silver,
turquoise and red coral "MASTERPEACE" pendant by McKee Platero, c. 2020
ex: Tony Abeyta Collection, Santa Fe, NM
THIS MCKEE PLATERO PENDANT is an absolutely astounding object in every respect. In our opinions,
it is quite simply one of the most impressive, imaginative and shockingly beautiful pieces we have ever seen in
our 35-plus years of buying, selling, collecting and wearing this great Master silversmith’s work. The design and craftsmanship on display here are almost beyond words although we will certainly do our best to do
the piece the proper justice.
We’ll start with the pendant’s incredibly impressive size, like a sumptuously large, shining rectangular obelisk commanding all attention like the important and powerful object it is. Then there is the extraordinarily well-conceived and executed graphic design, with its oval-shaped large central vertically-oriented concho-style medallion done with beautiful deep chisel work and surrounded all around with gorgeous stamp work and rocker-engraved designs. At each of the pendant's four outer corners, there is a matching square design motif with a round central repoussee surrounded by a wealth of fine, delicate almost floral-looking stamp work. Three beautiful precious stones are arranged in a vertical alignment down the center of the pendant, a horizontally placed red Mediterannean coral oval cabochon at top and bottom, and a fine blue spiderweb turquoise in the middle. All the stones are set in finely-fashioned old-style “foldover” type silver bezels.
At left, Navajo silversmith, McKee Platero in Santa Fe, c. 1995. At right, Navajo artist, Tony Abeyta pictured with former U.S. Interior Secretary, Deb Haaland, c. 2022.
Right photo courtesy Tony Abeyta.
“Platero comes from a family of silversmiths, his grandfather and his uncles were known for their heavy silver jewellery with deep and precise stampwork, and Platero continues this tradition.”
-The British Museum
Surrounding everything is a finely-chiseled and beveled surround framing and highlighting a perfectly-applied final outer panel or border of infinitely precisely placed repeating feathered stamps. Finally, the pendant's shape is very slightly and subtly contoured; skillfully giving the visual impression of added depth and a nice sculptural quality. The almost mind-boggling complexity, extreme artistic sensitivity, technical dexterity and virtuosity and intelligence on display here are nothing short of amazing. It's like an infinitely complex tiny painting in silver. And so much so that when you're not wearing the pendant, you can hang it on the wall and admire it that way. Topping the whole piece off is a very beautifully-fashioned baile or hanging loop with a chiseled diamond-shaped horizontal silver medallion on the front which is in effect a tiny work of art in its own right. A nice length of classic black silk jewelry cord is included along with the purchase of the pendant, but alternatively it would also look just as wonderful on a nice silver chain or suede or polished leather thong.
The pendant measures an impressive 3 3/4" in height including the baile and it is 2 1/8" in width and 3/8" in maximum depth. The pendant weighs an impressive, though completely comfortable to wear 75 grams or 2 5/8 ounces and it is in completely excellent original condition with no damage and very little wear. There are some various "tooling" marks in evidence on the pendant which is something Platero often leaves on his silver pieces which just serves to nicely highlight and reinforce the completely handmade nature of the piece. The pendant is most handsomely signed with McKee Platero's capital letters initials "MP" along with three very nicely stamped stars in a row. Adding his intials is a somewhat unique and rare version of his usual three dots or three stars in a row signature which he only reserves for pieces that he particularly likes. In addition to this "extra" initials signature, he also interestingly inscribed this word in a nice cursive script on the back of the pendant:
The inscription implies even further that Platero was well aware that he had created a special masterpiece here, but he added a little ironic twist by using a slightly different spelling of "masterpiece". Also, the initials of the words “MASTERPEACE” are, of course “M” and “P” so the word is yet another signature of sorts.
The pendant’s provenance is also unique and worth noting. It was originally purchased new directly from McKee Platero in 2020 by the renowned Navajo artist and jewelry designer, Tony Abeyta of Santa Fe and California who kept it in his own personal collection for the next three years until just very recently selling it to us. It’s an interesting beginning trajectory we think for a fine piece of Native art, to pass from the hands of one great Navajo artist into those of another. From a great artist to a great artist to great appreciators of
great artists, to put it all in a nutshell.
More words here aren’t really needed. At the end of the day, this piece speaks most eloquently for itself
as simply an incredible masterpiece in precious metal and stones from the Supreme Master of Navajo Silver.
It would be a point of great pride and privilege to be able to own such a piece.
SOLD
“MASTERPEACE”
