Bracelet c. 1960s

This bracelet was crafted by the A'shiwi, or Zuni people, from silver and turquoise. The bracelet’s striking quality lies in its structured arrangement of turquoise stones. The turquoise, a vibrant blue, is set against the cool, metallic sheen of the silver, creating a mesmerizing contrast. The composition is meticulously ordered, with rows of rectangular turquoise stones intersected by smaller, round ones. This grid-like structure speaks to a complex visual language. It reflects the Zuni aesthetic, where geometric patterns carry deep cultural and symbolic meanings. The repetition of forms creates a rhythm. The grid structure hints at underlying systems of knowledge, with the turquoise functioning as signs within a larger cultural code. The bracelet challenges fixed notions of adornment, transforming the wearer into a site of ongoing interpretation. As such it is not just ornamentation, but also a narrative, an assertion of cultural identity.