Beautiful circa 1979 circular Grateful Dead 'Steal Your Face' pendant made by Owsley 'Bear' Stanley, .9999 gold and enamel, measuring .75? in diameter, 13.6 grams, engraved on the reverse, "Apr. 1979, OS." In fine condition, with tiny imperfections to enamel on the right side. Owsley 'Bear' Stanley was a central figure in the 1960s San Francisco music scene and in the history of the Grateful Dead. He began as an LSD manufacturer and later became involved in operating the Grateful Dead's soundboard, pioneering cutting-edge sound systems and archiving hundreds of their live shows. He began working with gold and enamel in 1977, and originally gave this piece to the consignor in 1979. The consignor met Bear in spring 1978 when working the soundboard for opening acts at a Robert Hunter show. There was a 'technical delay' before Hunter came on, and he found that the sound equipment had been disassembled and was being put back together by Bear, who did not like the way it was wired. Bear later showed him some of the enameled jewelry he was working on, and said he was making something that might be of special interest. The following spring, the consignor purchased this 'Steal Your Face' pendant from Bear at a Grateful Dead show. An early example of one of Bear's legendary enamel pendants, this is an incredibly desirable piece.
