Bracelet c. 1920s

This bracelet, made by a Navajo (Diné) artist, is all about contrasts. It feels solid and timeless, as if it could have been made at any point in the last, oh, I don’t know, let’s say 200 years? Check out the contrast between the shiny silver and the rough-hewn turquoise. It’s such a yummy combination! The central stone is a vibrant, almost electric blue, like a summer sky. You can see the little imperfections and cracks in the stones. The smaller stones on the side lean more towards a darker, more muted green. They’re like little pools of shade. I love the way the artist has used the silver to frame and highlight the stones. It reminds me of how we use lines in drawing and painting to define shapes and create a sense of depth. The saw-tooth edging around the stones adds a subtle texture and rhythm. Think of Eva Hesse, whose sculptures often had a similar kind of repetitive, almost obsessive quality. It just goes to show that art is an ongoing conversation, a call and response across time and cultures.