Navajo
Southwest
1920
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Total circumference 8 1/8 in (20.6 cm), gap 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm), width 1 1/4 in (3.2 cm); 134.47 grams
Provenance: Toby Herbst, Santa Fe, NM
This early Navajo cuff centers a large rectangular turquoise tab, green with brown matrix, set in a serrated bezel and flanked by two large silver beads. The turquoise retains a pump drilled hole through its face, evidence that the stone was repurposed from an old Pueblo necklace, where such tabs were strung after being drilled with a pump drill. The natural green stone sits at the center of a heavy silver band worked with fine chisel and stamp work.
Below the setting, a row of twisted wire runs along the lower edge of the band, framing the chisel work above. At just over 134 grams across a 1 1/4 inch width, the cuff is heavy and substantial, characteristic of early Navajo silver. The 8 1/8 inch circumference with a 1 1/2 inch gap suits a larger wrist and adjusts through the open back.
Toby Herbst is a scholar and former curator of Southwestern Native American material culture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Navajo
Southwest
1920
Sterling silver and natural turquoise
Total circumference 8 1/8 in (20.6 cm), gap 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm), width 1 1/4 in (3.2 cm); 134.47 grams
Provenance: Toby Herbst, Santa Fe, NM
This early Navajo cuff centers a large rectangular turquoise tab, green with brown matrix, set in a serrated bezel and flanked by two large silver beads. The turquoise retains a pump drilled hole through its face, evidence that the stone was repurposed from an old Pueblo necklace, where such tabs were strung after being drilled with a pump drill. The natural green stone sits at the center of a heavy silver band worked with fine chisel and stamp work.
Below the setting, a row of twisted wire runs along the lower edge of the band, framing the chisel work above. At just over 134 grams across a 1 1/4 inch width, the cuff is heavy and substantial, characteristic of early Navajo silver. The 8 1/8 inch circumference with a 1 1/2 inch gap suits a larger wrist and adjusts through the open back.
Toby Herbst is a scholar and former curator of Southwestern Native American material culture.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
