Diné (Navajo) Wide Ingot Silver Bracelet [R]

Silverwork, although not indigenous to Southwestern tribes, has been adopted by the Navajo, Hopi, and New Mexico Pueblo Indians.  The techniques and designs originally were brought to the Natives by Mexican and Spanish soldiers.  Silverwork in the Southwest had its beginning around 1853 when the first Navajo credited with silversmithing learned the craft from a Mexican smith.  The name of the Navajo was Atsidi Sani.  By 1870, the Navajo were hammering out Mexican and U.S. coins and stamping and engraving them with designs.  By 1880, the Navajo has mastered the technique and created beautiful jewelry and equestrian equipment from silver.

The United States banned defacing silver coins and Mexican coins became harder to acquire, so merchants began supplying the jewelers with ingot silver.  This later morphed into thin sheet silver. 

This wide silver cuff appears to have been made from ingot silver.  Its thickness and weight (3.2 oz) contribute to this thought.  The stamping is exquisite and perfect. 

Condition:  The bracelet has been used and exhibits minor scratches but overall is in excellent condition.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Florida

Recommended Reading: North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment From Prehistory to the Present by Lois Sherr Dubin