The old Bell Trading Post, was an off-shoot of the Fred Harvey "Tourist Era" of jewelry that began around 1900. The company was located in Albuquerque, NM and was founded by Jack Michelson in 1935. They sold "Indian Jewelry" to tourist locations throughout the western U.S. The business was named "Bell" because Jack's wife Mildred maiden name was Bell. Later, gift ware & moccasin divisions were added to the existing Bell Jewelry division. In 1972, their name was changed to Sunbell Corp.
The items manufactured by Bell Trading Post can be categorized as Indian souvenir jewelry. Unlike items entirely produced and designed by Native Americans, souvenir jewelry has a machined-made uniformity, and relative delicate proportions. The pieces were smaller and lighter, as size was dictated by an inexpensive price. Genuine turquoise was used by also imitated, and some pieces were made of sterling and others base metal. Finally, the designs were usually stamped, with motifs easily recognized by the tourist: thunderbirds, rain clouds, and bows and arrows.
Collecting Indian souvenir jewelry has recently come into it's own. This type of jewelry brings back fond memories of summer vacations and the flashy items we always tried to get our parents to buy. At affordablevintagejewelry.com we almost always have several pieces in stock.
