Dig It - 6/23/25

Now Fellow Seekers, This here is a cuff! It is made of ingot silver with a most unusual pattern and design. This bracelet was purportedly owned by Robert and Marcie Musser. I met Robert when I first got started in the business, and I have to say he was one of the nicest guys I ever met in this den of thieves and pirates. He gave some wonderful pieces of art to the Denver Art Museum.

Back to the bracelet. It is certainly very unusual, with those square, elaborately stamped boxes. There is a similar cuff, perhaps by the same silversmith, in Harry P. Mera’s book, “Indian Silverwork of the Southwest, Illustrated Volume 1,” page 12, Plate 7, bottom cuff. Mera dates his bracelet to the late 19th century.

This cuff is certainly a distinctive and marvelous example of early Navajo silver work. It is always fascinating to see an artist or work of art that breaks with tradition, creating something totally unique and wonderful! See you down the trail. -Lonesome