Antique Vintage selling Sterling Silver Native Navajo Twist Stacking Cuff Bracelet 16.9g

This bracelet is part of a set with two other matching bracelets, which we also have for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Navajo" or "Twist" under our items.

Listing Description by: Angela A.

The Piece

Age Circa: Antique Native Navajo C. 1960

Markings: Unmarked, tested, and guaranteed

Country of Origin: United selling States - Navajo Nation

Brand: Unknown

Gram Weight: 16.9 grams

Metal Type: .925 sterling silver

Material: --

Main Stone: --

Main Stone Measurements/Color: --

Accent Stone: --

Accent Stone Measurements/Color: --

Stone Treatment: --

Stone Cuts: --

Item Measurements:
-Inner circumference, not including the cuff gap: 5.5"
-Cuff gap adds an additional: 1.09"
-Total wearable length, including the cuff gap: 6.59"
-Band width: 0.19"

Bracelet Type: Cuff bracelet

Closure/Clasp Type: The bracelet is meant to be worn over the wrist through the gap.

Link Type: Rounded and polished sterling silver

Notable Features:
-Handmade during the 1960s by a talented Navajo artisan
-Composed of .925 sterling silver
-The band showcases the motif of two twisted linear bands
-This cuff can be worn alone, or worn stacked with other matching bracelets, which we also have for sale this week
-The inside of the band is also smooth and polished for comfortable and secure wear

Damage: Age appropriate wear. There is light tarnish on the sterling silver in some areas, which gives the bracelet a lovely antique quality. The price has been reduced to reflect this.

*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*


The History

This beautiful piece was made by a very talented Native American silversmith. It features handcrafted silversmith work throughout. Antique Native American jewelry is very rare to find. This is due to these pieces being made for reservation and personal use before the tourist trade became popular. Very few pieces were made and even less survived to today.

The concept of Pawn, Old Pawn, and Dead Pawn Native American Jewelry came to be in the 1800s. During this time, trading posts had become commonplace for Native Americans to go and exchange food, tools, and other materials with Colonists. Essentially, banks would loan the shop owners money which was then invested into loans for Native Americans in exchange for their jewelry. When a loan wasn't repaid, the item became known as either “Old Pawn” or “Dead Pawn.”

The Navajo Nation sits on 27,000 square miles within the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The Navajo have a rich history and culture and have become known for creating some of the finest sterling silver and turquoise jewelry, incorporating their own traditional motifs with silversmithing. The squash blossom necklace is perhaps one the most famous Navajo styles produced, along with turquoise inlay rings. Turquoise is an important stone in Navajo culture; symbolizing happiness, good fortune, and good health.

The first Navajo silversmith, Atsidi Sani, was taught around 1865 by a Mexican silversmith. Atsidi Sani, in turn, taught his four sons, who then started teaching other Navajo artisans. In the beginning, Navajo artisans created sterling silver jewelry for themselves and others in the Navajo Nation. After 1900, with the tourist trade started booming in the Southwest, and Navajo artisans started commercially producing silver and turquoise jewelry and selling it through the various trading posts.



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