Bracelet Date Unknown

This bracelet was made by a Navajo artist, using silver and turquoise. Although we don't know when it was made, such jewelry is both an expression of Diné identity and a commodity within the American Southwest’s tourist market. The bracelet’s visual impact comes from the contrast between the cool, polished turquoise stone and the textured silver. The repeated patterns may allude to the natural world, but also demonstrate the artist’s skill. The history of Diné silverworking is tied to cross-cultural exchange, beginning in the mid-19th century when Navajo people learned metalworking techniques from Mexican artisans. Navajo jewelry became increasingly popular among tourists and collectors in the early 20th century, leading to the establishment of trading posts and curio shops that both promoted and shaped the market for Native American art. Understanding the complex layers of cultural exchange and economic forces is essential for interpreting the bracelet, for which historical archives and market reports could provide a deeper context.