Bracelet c. 1950

This small bracelet, made of silver and turquoise, was crafted by a Navajo (Diné) artist, though we don’t know exactly when. The marks here, etched into the silver, feel almost like a language. They evoke a sense of rhythm and repetition, a kind of visual poetry through simple forms. Look closely at the texture of the silver. The artist hasn't polished it to a high shine but preserved some of its raw, almost grainy quality. It makes me think about the hand that shaped it, the tools that were used, and the care taken in its making. See how the turquoise stone is cradled by the silver? The contrast in textures between the smooth stone and the etched metal creates a tactile experience. This bracelet reminds me of the work of Anni Albers, who translated weaving into a form of mark-making. Ultimately, it’s a testament to how art can transform simple materials into something deeply meaningful.