Silver and turquoise Southwest Yei bracelet. Navajo style, maker?

No, I don't see this as a hobbyist piece either, but I think Hollyblue just meant it as a general observation.
It is a strange combination. The cartouche reminded me of good quality Egyptian tourist jewellery. But with Loloma in mind, why wouldn't the 'lesser' makers be influenced by ancient Egypt as well? And it goes well with the Modernist design, I think. To me the only thing out of place is the traditional shadowbox, but maybe that's just because I am not the biggest fan of Navajo shadowbox jewellery. Just a matter of personal taste, nothing wrong with shadowbox jewellery at all.
For now the working title is Southwestern, but it is still 'under investigation'.

 

Agree but that does bring us back to the fact that a seemingly well executed artful "contemporary" piece is unsigned which is very unusual to say the least. I'm personally so interested in this and will post back when I have more info for you.

 

This is going to be one of the oddest posts I've ever made on any board because it's a quote from a source that I can't reveal so it's a "total trust me" from a person you don't know by a person you don't know but I hope from my posts on this board you may have some respect for my contacts and my knowledge. I promise you that the following is from a known major authority on NA jewelry and the person who has always generously shared knowledge with me. The bottom line is that we've really gone the full circle and we're back to non-identification of a piece that must be kept or sold as Southwestern only but here is the response with a few ideas for your continued research if you're so inclined:

"The .925 mark on the centerpiece suggest very strongly that that piece is not American Indian. The watch bracelet itself looks very much like the work or Larry Yazzie or Tom Hawk (they generally sign their work) but embellished with additional features by someone else. (Their 'track" bracelets were always very clean and contemporary.)

In short, someone could have taken a Navajo watch bracelet and modified it. (I've seen a number of watch bracelets converted into bracelets as watches begin to disappear".

The above makes sense to me as from the getgo I thought that the components were an odd mix but I didn't consider a "marriage".

 

I have no problem with that.
The sandcast bands are nice , but to my eye they do not go well with the shadow box ...and lackluster turq..!

 

I'm pretty late to this party, but that box clasp and those hinges to me scream contemporary Mexican; I'm with Reader on that one. The idea that it's a mashup is a good one. Generally, the Mexican pieces are marked and marked well, but if this is a piece of mixed ancestry all bets are off.

 

(Fishes out Navajo watch band. Yup )

The idea of the yei being watch band sides makes huge sense to me, too.

 

Thanks reader, you (or your mystery source) probably nailed it, although we may never have proof. It makes sense, and as I said, to me the only thing out of place is the traditional shadowbox.
I almost wish I wore a watch again. If I ever have the possibility to go to a jeweller again, I will certainly consider having it converted back.
I know the Tom Hawk rail or track bracelets, and have seen rail bracelets by others with stones set on them.
Did you show your mystery person photos of this bracelet, I mean was he/she referring to this bracelet, or something like it?

 

I'm actually pretty embarrassed that I didn't immediately see a marriage of parts since the component mix bugged me from the start. I did send your photos to my source asking if they could help an internet friend in Europe. They've always been so kind to me over the years but I can't give a name as we all know it would result in a deluge of questions from lurkers etc. everytime someone had NA questions. Happy that I could help on this one.

 

why don't you invite them to join us here......no lurkers here...

 

No time or interest-extremely busy and was doing me a favor. Specifically asked me not to give name-sorry. Agree that this person would be a great asset.

 

ok, i understand that...
but....i don't care who they are ....just what they know.....and around here...all of us are very busy.....doing one thing or another.....

 

I think that goes for many of us, but sometimes the answer is hidden in plain sight. Will you please thank your mystery source from me?

 

I already did. Have a great day all!

 

And tell him/her that we don't bite. Unless you're made of chocolate of course; then you're in trouble.

 

Here is some historical info about rail/track/ridged bracelets from 'Navajo Silver' by Arthur Woodward, 1971. The revival in recent years he refers to was of course pre-1971. Bracelets in that style were also made after 1971.
The last picture is of a decorated ridged bracelet.

 

This has all been such a FASCINATING read about AJ's piece!!!! And now it's bugging me so much that I'm going to have to go break out my own necklace+ that I've had for nigh onto 50+ years stuffed in a drawer and see what you all can tell me about it in my own thread!!! And I believe I had mentioned before, AJ, when my parents were out west on one of their trips, Mom liked to buy, ergo had met Charles Lloma and bought either one or two of his bracelets and a ring!!! When I had to settle up the estate after Mom's passing in '03, I wasn't totally aware of all I have learned here, and know I probably did not get what I should have for them..... groan........but there wasn't just me.....had 2 brothers in the mix a bit more eager for "settlement"!!! AH WELL, life happens!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My commiserations. Anytime you feel you have to offload Loloma pieces for next to nothing, I'm your girl.
But I'm sure we have all made some mistakes like that, you can't know everything, and hindsight just gets in the way of all the beautiful things we can still enjoy. Many of which we got for a song.

 

Oooops......sorry for the misspelling "Loloma"!!

 

Don't worry, I'd recognize him anywhere.

 

Aquitaine-Oh boy but we've all done it. My list of mistakes is frightening.