Bracelet 1900s - 1910s

Editor: This beautiful bracelet, dating from the 1900s to 1910s, is attributed to the Navajo, also known as Diné people. It's made of silver and features these striking turquoise stones. What strikes me most is the contrast between the cool metal and vibrant blue. What can you tell me about it? Curator: The contrast you've observed hints at deeper tensions. This bracelet speaks volumes about the forced integration and cultural exchange characteristic of the Indigenous Americas during that period. Consider the Diné people: their traditions, artistry, and spiritual connection to materials were actively suppressed by colonial forces. How might making and wearing this bracelet been an act of resistance or cultural survival? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way, more like a blending of cultures. So, the choice of materials also carries meaning? Curator: Absolutely. Silverworking among the Navajo developed largely due to contact with Europeans and Mexicans. But the turquoise? The Diné have long considered it a sacred stone, embodying protection, healing, and connection to the land. This bracelet becomes a powerful assertion of identity. The silversmith strategically used a newly adopted technique with cultural material for preserving, honoring and transmitting indigenous identity, acting against external threats and domination. Editor: It’s amazing how a single piece of jewelry can contain such complex layers of history and meaning. Thinking about it as an assertion of identity… it changes everything. Curator: Exactly. And how can that understanding inform our engagement with contemporary Indigenous art and issues? The struggles for sovereignty, cultural preservation, and self-representation continue. Editor: I'll definitely look at art differently now. Thanks for sharing your perspective, I see so much more now! Curator: Likewise! Reflecting on history really does help understand present realities.