Very rare and unusual piece, a sterling silver “note holder” fronted by an Indian Chief on the front in high relief. A bale on top provides for a necklace and hanging as a decorative piece of jewelry. Other decoration on the front includes a tomahawk and a peace pipe criss-crossed beneath the Indian. The back is plain with a decorative “repousse” floral border, and “sterling” clearly marked in the lower left (see image). It is 2 7/8″ high x 2″ wide resembling and in the style of a match safe; probably manufactured by Unger Bros. of Newark, New Jersey, circa 1880, but difficult to observe all of the surfaces because of the frontal “notes” in permanent place. A note holder would have been used to write down reminders and/or notations by the user; the surfaces appear to be a celluloid type material. Condition is excellent with six notes intact; a very slight “crease” to the back side; hardly noticeable (see image).
Appropriate Americana for the discerning collector with a Western Native American theme.
Provenance: From my personal collection of Western items