Featured Navajo bracelet

This was not cheap, but I'm hoping it's worth a good deal more than I paid.



I was thinking it interesting because it seems to have both the sand-cast element on the one side and the stones on the other.

I hesitated, wondering if it hadn't been repaired or joined, but the bracelet's solid and the graduated order of the stones seems consistent.

Is there a name for the rectangular turquoise?

Opinions as to age?

Does anyone recognize the mark?

Thank you for any and all comments. I truly appreciate the help you all give!

 

It's really interesting. I've never seen a NA bracelet quite like it!

 

Here's two more pictures of what I'm thinking has to be a joint:

 

I wonder if it is a Franken- piece.
Made from two broken bracelets that were combined.
The stones would have been pulled out for soldering, then replaced after. This would account for the wonky bezeling.

 

Yeah-- maybe!

I probably shoulda been able to deduce that...

It seems like if that's the case, the repair-er was seriously in earnest with lots of turquoise.

Does it look sloppily done to you?

Thanks @stracci !

 

No, not sloppy at all. The smith was getting creative!
That's the beauty of NA pieces, they are hand forged, and small imperfections add character!

 

The base of the bracelet is at least 5 separate pieces,the bezels and bases are more pieces. Probably used failed castings from a number of bracelets.

 

Great find, Pottery, a Navajo Modernist style bracelet, and one repair aside, I think this is the original design.

The cuff itself is sandcast, but it looks like it was reinforced in one spot. It looks like someone tried to overbend it. That influences the value, but what it has going for it is that wonderful Modernist style.

In general, when buying rigid cuff bracelets, please take the space between the ends into account. If your wrist doesn't fit through that space, the cuff doesn't fit, no matter how large the circumference is. Rigid, thick cuffs don't like to bend, so buy another one.

Since the top is rounded, it is simply a rectangular cabochon.

Yes! It is the mark of the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild, founded by the Navajo Council in 1941, from 1972 on it is called the Navajo Arts & Crafts Enterprise.
Given the Modernist style of your cuff, it could have been made when it was still called the Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild.
Some more on the Guild/Enterprise:
https://www.gonavajo.com/about-us/

https://hoelsindianshop.com/native-american-artists/navajo-arts-and-crafts-guild/

From the last link:
In the 1944 book, “The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths”, John Adair writes, “The type of silverware that the guild promotes is […] a revival of the old simple types of jewelry, without sets for the most part. Emphasis is placed on cast work...."

And tagging @reader , as always.

 

TY AJ. You guys have said it all. Agree it’s unusual with those stone shapes-also that it’s the original design. Looks like it was a bit abused. I’d guess the age at 60s. I don’t think it’s earlier but that’s just a gut guess.

 

Nice find Pottery & good input from all.

 

Looks like a manly bracelet. If large enough i could have sold that 10 times over in my store. The men were always looking for masculine pieces.

 

Thank you AJ for your wonderful info! So helpful.

And thank you for your corroborating expertise too @reader. Im still in a bit over my head on something like this but your guys's help is so valuable.

 

It does actually fit me, so that's a good start!

 

It’s such an unusual piece IMO that if you like NA jewelry and will wear it you may want to keep it. I love old sandcasts! Wearing one now in car lol.

 

Wow-- that's an amazing bracelet. So stylish!

 

Fab. Just fab.

Debora

 

Very cool. Love the whole look!

 

TY All. OMG I knew I was wrinkled but that pic is pretty bad.

 

Nah-Those hands tell a story,that's character.That bracelet wouldn't look half as good on the well-manicured paw of some 'hand model'.
PS-I do look at My hands sometimes and say-'Gramps,where did You come from !'.

 

Pulling that cuff off takes experience. It doesn't look right on a kid.