Vintage and Contemporary Bolo Ties, Belt Buckles, Cuff Bracelets |
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| Irving Silver
1926 - 2007
Irving Silver of Mesa Arizona began collecting Native American Jewelry beginning around 1989 upon his retirement and move to Arizona. He had a passion for collecting many things including jewelry, canes, Kachina dolls, Remington bronzes, firearms and other Western and Indian related items.
His love of the Native American culture is evident in the unique array of jewelry displayed here. He enjoyed wearing many of the pieces in his collection and was known for purchasing only high quality, unique, interesting pieces that ‘spoke to him’. His favorite items to collect were bolo ties of which he wore on special occasions and he was also quite fond of rings and bracelets as well.
Irv’s extensive bolo tie & jewelry collection offers exquisite examples from Zuni, Navajo and Hopi artists including Tommy Singer, Effie, Larry Begay and many others. Several of his pieces have even been termed ‘museum quality’ by well respected Native American jewelry aficionados. In addition to shopping all around the Arizona and New Mexico areas, one of his favorite galleries was Chief Dodge in Scottsdale, Arizona where many of his pieces came from.
Irving Silver led an interesting and purposeful life. He served in the United States Navy twice during WWII and Korea and served on the USS Calvert, a U.S. Navy Destroyer Escort. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, Irv attended school at Northwest Missouri State graduating with a degree in history and had a brief career as a teacher.
Irv then went to work for the American Red Cross where he worked both abroad in Germany and throughout the Western/Northwestern United States (Montana, California, Oregon and Washington State) eventually becoming a Chapter Manager and eventually a field rep liaison attached to FEMA Region X located in Bothell, Washington. Irv retired from the Red Cross after 25 years and began a new career with FEMA as a Field Director assisting the states of Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho in creating disaster preparedness contingency plans with local and state government agencies. In addition he was called out to work on many disasters including hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding in such places as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Ohio, Texas, Louisiana & Kentucky. He received numerous letters of appreciation from Governors, State Patrol Directors, Sheriffs and Mayors for his exhausting work, countless hours and humanitarian efforts during the rebuilding of cities and residents lives after natural disasters.
Irv retired from FEMA after a 21 years career and moved to Mesa, Arizona. He then became a reservist for FEMA continuing to manage and work on natural disasters up until age 78. He loved helping people and spent his entire adult life from his military career through his civilian jobs and into retirement serving his fellow man.
Irving passed away on May 22, 2007 at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Barbara, three children, 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and countless friends.
We hope you enjoy Irving’s collection as much as he enjoyed collecting it.
This incredible collection of vintage Native American bolo ties, cuff bracelets, rings and pendants are all made from genuine domestic turquoise, sterling silver and other genuine stones like lapis, azurite, coral and onyx. Entirely crafted by hand in the traditional sense, these beautiful examples of authentic Navajo, Zuni and Hopi jewelry are some of the finest pieces we have ever showcased. |
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