Romero, Mike Bird Trade Bead and Sterling Silver Stylized Dragonfly Necklace

This necklace by Mike Bird Romero features five handmade sterling silver stylized dragonfly pendants suspended from a strand of white heart red trade beads. Romero, a jeweler from San Juan Pueblo, began making jewelry in the 1960s. His work reflects a revival of older Native jewelry traditions, which is evident in his use of historic trade materials. The white heart red trade beads—translucent red glass with a white core—originated in Italy and became widely used in North America by the 1600s. These beads were valued by many American Indian communities, who used them for jewelry, clothing, and ceremonial regalia. Glass was not easily available at the time, which made these imported beads highly desirable for trade and decoration. Romero combined these historic beads with sterling silver dragonfly forms, silver accent beads, and a single turquoise stone. The necklace is strung on a waxed cord and finished with a knotted closure, reflecting both traditional technique and material history.