Bracelet c. 1960s

This bracelet was made by a Navajo artist using silver. The design is strikingly modern, like something you might find in a high-end jewelry store today. But its cultural significance is deeply rooted in the history of the American Southwest. The Navajo, or Diné, have a long and complex relationship with silver. They learned silversmithing from the Spanish in the 19th century, but quickly adapted the craft to their own aesthetic and cultural needs. Silver became a valuable trade item and a symbol of status within the Navajo community. This bracelet, with its bold geometric forms, reflects both the Navajo’s embrace of new materials and their distinctive artistic vision. Understanding the history of Navajo silversmithing requires us to look at the economic and social forces that shaped the art. Researching trade routes, historical records, and museum collections can reveal the rich stories embedded in this seemingly simple piece of jewelry.