Santo Domingo Depression Era Battery Bird Necklace

Beautiful Santo Domingo Battery Bird Necklace. This lovely necklace is 24 inches long, strung on waxed cord and features a handmade hook and eye closure.

The Santo Domingo people started making battery bird necklaces, pendants and earrings during the Depression era (1930's and 40's) and they were commonly created using found materials. They quickly adopted the name battery birds because they often used battery parts as components in the necklaces. They became very popular with tourists and were a way for them to make a living during an economically difficult time period in America.

This one has been restrung by me. The pendant is 2 inches long and 2 and 1/4 wide, composed of crushed coral and turquoise with mother of pearl for some of the feathers. The tabs are turquoise, jet, mother of pearl and coral and each around an inch long.

This is a wonderful piece of history to be worn and enjoyed!

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