Bracelet c. 1950

This silver and turquoise bracelet was made by Joe Quintana sometime in the 20th century. Look how the silver is shaped to embrace the stone. It’s almost plant-like, as if the turquoise is a flower coming into bloom. I love how the metal is worked, there's a real sense of touch, and it's easy to imagine the artist carefully shaping it. There's a raw quality to it; you can really see the hand in the making, not trying to conceal the marks. It reminds me of Cy Twombly, not in its appearance, but in the way it displays an obvious enjoyment of the process, of the physicality of making. The turquoise is also just gorgeous; a vibrant blue, with the matrix adding an earthy depth. This piece speaks to me about the beauty of simple forms and the enduring appeal of natural materials. It reminds me of other native American artists like Kenneth Begay. It shows how creativity can transform something as simple as silver and stone into an object of lasting beauty.