Bracelet c. 1940

This silver bracelet was created by a Navajo, or Diné, artist. It’s the kind of piece where you see the hand of the artist so clearly, you know? Look at those little serrated edges, and the raindrop shapes, all carefully hammered and placed. There's something so human about it, the marks aren't perfect, there is a slight irregularity. It’s like the artist is letting you in on their process, on the labor and the love that went into creating this form. The metal itself has a wonderful patina, a sort of soft glow. It feels worn, loved, like it's absorbed the energy of the wearer over time. The raindrop shapes, like eyes, create a rhythm across the surface. These catch the light and draw your gaze in. The bracelet feels like a conversation across generations. Its simple forms speak to a lineage of craft, a history of making. It reminds me of the work of someone like the sculptor David Smith. Simple materials, but with an elegance that is powerful. It is a really beautiful thing, isn't it?