Native American, Southwestern United States, Navajo or Zuni, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is an attractive and wearable sterling silver cuff inlaid with turquoise, coral, abalone and black onyx to create a thunderbird motif. Three flattened wires form the band, and each is engraved with linear and rosette patterning. The thunderbird is formed by 8 separate sawtooth bezels that hold the inlaid pieces. Granulated spheres and rope twist shapes are welded to the tail, wings, and headdress of the bird. The verso of the central bezel is stamped with the maker mark "BY," likely for the artist B. Yazzie. This cuff is wearable with a gap wide enough to accommodate most wrists! Size of cuff: 2.35" Diameter x 2.75" W (6 cm x 7 cm); opening gap: 1.35" W (3.4 cm)
Provenance: private Alamo collection, Alamo, California, USA, before 2000
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#167568
Condition
Use related surface wear with minor abrasions to inlaid stones and silver. Intact and wearable. The maker and sterling mark is slightly soft but legible. Areas of dark toning and cleanable patina.