Bracelet c. 1920s

Curator: Here we have a striking bracelet crafted by a Navajo artist, sometime in the 1920s. The piece is made of silver and features what appear to be meticulously set turquoise stones. Editor: My eye is immediately drawn to the almost weathered appearance, the slight imperfections giving it a profound sense of history, wouldn’t you agree? It’s visually quiet yet deeply resonant. Curator: Absolutely. The Navajo, or Diné people, have a long and significant history with silversmithing. Silverwork, along with weaving, emerged as vital components of their economy and cultural expression, especially from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These practices helped to renegotiate their identity, their agency. Editor: And those turquoise stones – arranged so symmetrically. For many indigenous cultures, turquoise is powerfully symbolic; its color links it to the sky and water, essential elements associated with protection, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. Their square cut, arranged with care. I wonder if there is more beyond their visual aspect to them, like directions, elements or stories being told by the combination. Curator: That’s insightful. By the 1920s, Navajo jewelry was becoming increasingly popular among tourists, playing a significant role in defining the image and expectations of “Native American art.” The demand for jewelry and crafts in trading posts actually provided important opportunities for economic sustainability but also shaped and constrained it. Editor: So, the very act of creating and selling these pieces becomes a negotiation—maintaining cultural identity within the demands of the market? Curator: Precisely. While seemingly decorative, each piece tells a story about cultural endurance and innovation under specific socio-economic conditions. Museums showcasing items like this have a responsibility to also show and speak about the difficult aspects of this encounter. Editor: Looking at the craftsmanship—the blending of geometric silverwork with the soft hues of turquoise—it evokes a sense of balance and connection to nature, of cosmological maps and of ancestral ties. I leave more impressed by its significance in both artistic quality, symbolism and its function in society. Curator: A tangible connection to a rich, evolving story that extends well beyond its physical beauty.