Navajo Silver Tobacco Canteen with Turquoise

This mid-century heavily stamped canteen or flask features five unique repeating stamps, creating a kaleidoscope effect to a central turquoise oval cabochon on each side. The canteen's cap that is attached by a handmade chain also has an oval turquoise cabochon set in a serrated bezel. It is a beautiful piece that is only enhanced by the rich patina that the sterling silver has developed. 

The distinctive silver tobacco flask of the Diné are modeled after early Mexican rawhide tobacco flasks. They first begin to appear in the 1880s and were primarily made for personal use rather than a trade good. In the 1930s and 40s, when this particular flask dates from, there was a revival of the tobacco canteen, and although they were still used for predominantly for  personal use as they are more complicated to craft, you could find some for sale in trading posts and other settings. 

L. 1" : W. 2 ½" : H. 3. ½"