Bracelet c. 1940

This bracelet was crafted by a Navajo artist and is made of silver and turquoise. Its immediate visual impact lies in the striking contrast between the cool, muted silver and the bright turquoise stones. The stones draw the eye in their composition, creating a focal point that is both ornamental and structurally significant. The arrangement of the turquoise isn’t random; it follows a deliberate pattern. Notice how the stones are aligned along parallel lines, a semiotic system perhaps indicative of cultural or spiritual values. The lines are held together by curved segments of silver, almost like a visual bridge connecting the parallel lines and stones. The texture of the silver contrasts with the smooth turquoise; each contributes to the tactile and visual experience of the bracelet. The design isn’t merely decorative; it suggests an underlying structure that speaks to the artist’s understanding of balance, form, and material properties. The bracelet, therefore, functions as an aesthetic object but also as a cultural artifact rich with potential meanings.