Bracelet c. 1925

This bracelet was created by a Navajo artist, using silver and turquoise. The cool-toned silver and turquoise, which were both extracted from the earth, contrast well with the warm skin it adorns when worn as jewelry. The oval cabochons of turquoise, each unique with their matrix patterns, are evenly spaced and secured by tiny silver beads. Notice the smooth, polished surface of the stones, achieved through careful grinding and buffing. The silver settings too, have been worked to a soft sheen. This indicates a lot of skillful labor involved in the shaping and finishing of the materials. The bracelet reflects a blend of cultural aesthetics and trade. Silverworking, originally learned from European settlers, became a significant craft among the Navajo. The bracelet form may have been influenced by external markets, but the designs and the use of turquoise are distinctly Indigenous. Understanding the materials, making, and context gives this bracelet its full significance, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.