Artist unknown, Bracelet

Written by USU Student Jared Petersen

September 2, 2016

The first obvious detail of this Navajo Turquoise Bracelet are the bright and colorful characteristics of the turquoise stones. The tear-drop shape of the stone is especially intriguing. This specific stone is fascinating because of the different hues of turquoise which give it a cracked appearance, or even resemble a stained-glass window. This stylization was not created by the maker, but instead due to the mineral content within the stone. There is so much detail and symbolism in the stone itself, but that’s is only a part of the bracelet as a whole.

In the late nineteenth century the Navajos learned silver smithing from the Spanish and the Pueblos and subsequently began pairing silver with turquoise, which had been used in the Southwest regions for centuries. Navajo turquoise jewelry was only used for ceremonies and religious rituals before tourists took interest in the late 19th century.

Nowadays you can purchase silver and turquoise jewelry at almost any Indian reservation in the southwest. Unknown to the many tourists that purchase the jewelry, the turquoise stones represent happiness, health, and luck. The tear-drop shape of the stone in the Navajo Turquoise Bracelet has similarities to a horse-shoe shaped symbol which symbolizes good fortune. This bracelet also includes two geometric spirals placed symmetrically on the sides of the tear-drop turquoise stone. Spirals were used frequently in the Southwest, especially in Anasazi pottery. The spiral shape has been interpreted with multiple meanings such as: representing the journey one takes through life, storms, or a sun spiral. Assuming that this piece was created in the late 1800’s the bracelet is in remarkable condition for being over 100 years old. The artist that created this specific piece is unknown, but we can still observe and admire their attention to detail.

Sources:
1. Robert Parr, “Geometry of Native American Art”, N.P., Online Article, April 25th, 2002 http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/masters/american/parr.pdf
2. History of Navajo Turquoise, “History of Navajo Turquoise”, N.P., Online Article, March 23rd, 2016, http://www.historyofturquoise.com/navajo-turquoise/
3. Robert Parr, “Geometry of Native American Art”, N.P., Online Article, April 25th, 2002 http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/masters/american/parr.pdf

This month's From the Vault is part of an object-based research assignment from Professor Sandra Charlson's course ARTH 3340 Native North American Art.