Bracelet c. 1940s

This bracelet was created by an A'shiwi artist, also known as Zuni, and it combines silver and turquoise. The visual impact comes from the inherent contrast of the materials: the cool, matte surface of the silver against the bright, waxy polish of the turquoise. The labor involved in its making speaks volumes. Each of the numerous turquoise stones had to be individually cut and set within the silver frame. The silver itself has been carefully worked, its clean lines giving the bracelet structure. The combination of these materials, combined with this level of craftsmanship, has deep cultural significance. The bracelet is a testament to the skill and patience of the maker, but also reflects wider issues of labor, trade, and cultural expression. It challenges assumptions about the hierarchy of art and craft, prompting us to consider the value and meaning embedded in the materials and processes themselves.