Dean Kirk owned and operated the trading post at Manuelito, NM. He also owned and operated the Lone Mountain turquoise mine in Nevada, where each summer he and several Navajos would mine the turquoise, weather permitting. Dean wanted to bring a new style of Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry to the public and hired Navajo bench smiths to create his vision. He taught them how to cut stones, both cabs and inlay. He combined Navajo, Hopi overlay and Zuni inlay all together in many of his pieces. He then distributed this work to the many trading post in both Arizona and New Mexico. If you’ll look, I bet you have a piece of their jewelry in your collection.

This classic Dean Kirk designed silver box offers the best of this new style of design that began in the early 50’s. The box has an overlay designed Thunderbird with beautiful Blue Gem inlaid turquoise wings. It measures 2" long by 1 5/8" wide. A bit of history here!

This lovely box comes from a family collection, with personal connections to the Navajo - Hopi TP on Rte. 66 in Flagstaff AZ (owners) 40's-50's, Gallup NM Mercantile, Dean Kirk TP in Manuelito NM and Tobe Turpen's TP in Gallup, NM.