Dig It - 4/27/23
Hello Fellow Seekers, Today we are going to examine a bracelet that I have pondered for years, till finally Revelation!. This piece, as it exists now, dates to the early 20th century, but I propose that parts of it date to an earlier period. Now hear me out, you ornery cusses, before you cast the first stone at Poor Old Lonesome. I propose that that the 2 outer silver wires that make up the sides of the bracelet may be…(cue the organ music)…wait for it…may be recycled early silver bangles. Dada!
It is only a theory, but over the years that I have been dealing and collecting, I have seen a lot recycled and reassembled Navajo bracelets and jewelry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Navajo people, like all peoples, have faced a number of hardships and lean times. When a young person did not want to wear an old style bracelet, I’m sure they took it to the silversmith and had it updated. We have certainly all seen a number of old, plain silver bracelets that have been updated with the addition of a stone where the stone covers some of the original stamp work.
Well amigos, I think something like that may have happened here. Somebody wanted to update the older generation’s silver bangles and saving some silver/expense had them made into the bracelet we see today. One more mystery and this is a good one, the outer bangles have been stamped with initials. You can see them on the left and right sides above and below the square stones. I have never seen this before on the outside of a bracelet. I have only seen maker’s initials or marks on the inside of bracelets and I would have guessed this bracelet is too early to have a maker’s mark. Are these owners initials, Quien Sabe? Just another little mystery in life, the kind of thing that makes life and collecting interesting. This bracelet is for sale. It is 5.75” on the inside terminal to terminal and a 1 3/8” opening. Yippie Tie One On Fellow Seekers.