Bracelet c. 1920s

Editor: This piece is a silver bracelet, estimated to be from the 1920s, crafted by an artist of the Navajo, or Diné, people. I am struck by the contrast of the textured silver against the smooth turquoise, set right in the middle. What meaning do you see within this piece? Curator: It’s a fascinating intersection of cultures, isn't it? Silverworking in the Diné community rose significantly because of contact and trade with Europeans. The stone holds symbolism, doesn’t it? Think about the color – that mesmerizing blue-green – that suggests water and sky. Do you know what significance these natural elements may carry? Editor: I imagine they represent the importance of nature, of course! I suppose turquoise probably wasn't just selected for its color. Curator: Exactly. Turquoise often symbolizes protection, good fortune, and healing within Indigenous communities. This bracelet may have served not only as adornment but also as a potent symbol of well-being and a connection to ancestral lands. How does that symbolism influence your perspective on its craftsmanship? Editor: Knowing its symbolic significance, it makes me view the bracelet as far more than decorative. The interwoven silver bands might suggest interconnectedness. Is that reading too much into it? Curator: Not at all! Consider that art acts as a tangible link between the wearer and their heritage, carrying encoded narratives within the designs. We see how tradition subtly adapts to reflect cultural shifts and interactions over time. Editor: I hadn't thought about it reflecting so much cultural interplay. I now see the piece as carrying deeper layers of meaning, it's about both the land and its people. Curator: Absolutely. It encourages us to contemplate how an object like this carries within it not only artistry, but cultural memory, survival and resilience.