Dig It - 1/30/25
You know Fellow Seekers, people often ask me how do you know a bracelet is late-19th century. The simple answer is you don’t. As Forrest Fenn use to say, “Were you there when this piece was Made?” Of course, the answer is no. But, and this is a big but, based on style, techniques, and wear, I can be 95% sure of dates when it comes to silver. Now, 19th century Navajo/Pueblo jewelry, can be divided into early and late periods. The silversmiths in the 1860-1890 period had very few tools or techniques to work with, while the 1890-1910 smiths were starting to mount stones with new tools and techniques.
This bracelet spans the two periods of the 19th century. Very early tools were used for part of the designs, like a cold chisel which made the lines on the central lozenge, a punch circle, and a cross hatched diamond stamp for the heart of the Morning Star. The terminals have repoussé bump up buttons. Now, in the 19th and early 20th centuries the reservations were much bigger because people relied on horse and wagon, mules, and burros for travel. Families located near urban centers and railroad hubs would have had more access to technology as opposed to remote areas like Navajo Mountain. However, it is remarkable how much people did get around. I guess my point is, if there is one, that when dating silver it is probably safer to say, "late-19th to early 20th century" or "early 20th century", using more broad dates. This bracelet measures 5” from terminal to terminal, with a 1.25” gap. It is a small, simple, beautiful early bracelet, and is available for purchase. All the Best, Lonesome.