Diné of the Navajo Nation Split Shank Cuff with Seven Bands [SOLD]

This sterling silver contemporary bracelet was made by Diné artist Johnny Mike Begay in a style popularized by the artists at the White Hogan Gallery of Scottsdale, Arizona, in the 1950s and ‘60s. Inspired by the Danish Modern work of Georg Jenson, Diné artists used traditional Native silversmithing methods to create pieces with a sleek, modern appearance. The style was extremely popular, and the gallery and its artists were featured in Life Magazine.

Diné artist Johnny Mike Begay (deceased) skillfully created a bracelet in the spirit of the White Hogan silversmiths that features seven individual bands that have been split apart from the shank. Each band was hand shaped and polished. The bands expand out from a solid shank that features a stamped concha motif. The bracelet is signed JMB (combined).  

Johnny Mike Begay was an active silversmith until 1976.  He was one of those who worked at the White Hogan.  He was a jeweler associated with Dean Kirk, John Kennedy, and White Hogan—all dealers in Native arts and crafts.  Begay lived in Houck, Arizona.  He received several awards at the 1976 Santa Fe Indian Market, apparently the last year of his life.  His work was included in “Jewels of the Southwest” at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe in 2002.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Diné of the Navajo Nation Split Shank Cuff with Seven Bands is from a collection from Colorado

Reference: American Indian Jewelry I - 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Diné, Bracelet, Southwest Indian Jewelry

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