Navajo Silver Bracelet with Fine Traditional Diné Stampwork [SOLD]

C4103-19-bracelet2.jpg

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Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Bracelets
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Silver
  • Size: 5-1/8” end to end;
    1-1/4” opening;
    ⅝” wide; Size: 6-1/2”
  • Item # C4103.19
  • SOLD

Using a set of crescent and feather dies, this 20th century Navajo bracelet was made in the traditional manner of early Diné silver smiths. The center design element features rays of light emanating from a sun or star motif. On either side of the midpoint is a series of large and small ovals made by connecting different sized crescent shapes. The unknown artist honored his ancestors by continuing the fine art of stampwork.

Early Diné jewelry was formed by melting down silver coins and other sources of silver and pouring the molten silver into a mold that produced an ingot. Then the silversmith would pound the ingot into a sheet with a hammer and cut it with shears into the desired shape. Decoration was achieved by carefully filing lines or stamping with handmade dies. Early silverwork was difficult and sometimes a bit crude.

With the arrival of the railroad and the advent of the trading post system in the late 19th century, new tools and materials became available. Diné silversmiths became adept at fashioning jewelry with a wide range of complex designs using innovative stampwork. Precise, elegant stampwork became a hallmark of the best silversmiths.


Note: when we say Diné, as opposed to Navaho or Navajo, we are referring to the people and not the government.  Since 1969, their government refers to itself as the Navajo Nation.  

Condition: The Navajo Silver Bracelet with Fine Traditional Diné Stampwork is in excellent condition

Provenance: From a private Colorado Southwest Indian Jewelry collection

Recommended Reading: Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair

Relative Links: Southwest Indian JewelryNavajobracelet  


HOW TO MEASURE YOUR WRIST FOR BRACELET SIZE

Alternate side view of this silver cuff.


Jeweler Once Known
  • Category: Bracelets
  • Origin: Diné of the Navajo Nation
  • Medium: Silver
  • Size: 5-1/8” end to end;
    1-1/4” opening;
    ⅝” wide; Size: 6-1/2”
  • Item # C4103.19
  • SOLD

C4103-19-bracelet2.jpgC4103-19-large2.jpg Click on image to view larger.