The Fred Harvey Company copyrighted the Thunderbird motif in 1909. Harvey's square shouldered Thunderbird graced their high-end jewelry until the 1930's. It became so popular that other companies adopted similar designs, sans the squared shoulders, onto their symbol palettes. These included Maisel's Indian Trading Post, Arrow Novelty Company, and Silver Arrow, among others. They described the Thunderbird as the “Sacred Bearer of Happiness Unlimited”, a phrase attributed to Fred Harvey employee Herman Schweizer. He claimed to have discovered the symbol during one of his many excursions through the Southwest, although the Thunderbird is most closely associated with the art, songs and oral histories of many Pacific Northwest Coast cultures. Of similar design, the Rain Bird or Peyote Bird are associated with Plains Indian cultures. Despite this, Thunderbirds became one of the most recognizable designs associated with jewelry made by Navajo Dine’ and Pueblo artists.  We offer two great examples of jewelry made with the Fred Harvey Thunderbird. An incredible and extremely rare ketoh, or bow guard, and a stunning bracelet.

- Donald Dionne - Santa Fe, New Mexico