Bracelet before 1930

This silver and turquoise bracelet, made by Hopituh Shinumu, really sings to me because of its simplicity. It’s so un-showy. The turquoise stones are set in a row, each one unique with its own matrix and shade. It’s easy to imagine the artist carefully selecting each stone, considering how they sit together. I like the way that the silver is worked, too. It’s not overly polished or refined. You can see the hand of the artist in the subtle hammer marks and the way the silver wraps around each stone. If you look closely at the inside, you might see some markings or inscriptions. These could be anything from the artist’s signature to a personal message. It's a reminder that art objects carry layers of meaning, only some of which are visible. The casual quality reminds me of Ruth Asawa’s wire sculptures, or maybe even some Cy Twombly’s more informal works. It's like a quiet conversation across time, about beauty, simplicity, and the touch of the hand.