Made during the tourist boom of the 1930s, this outstanding example of the Fred Harvey Era Navajo tourist bracelet is noteworthy on several fronts. I hesitate to carry tourist era bracelets unless they’re exceptional, and this one fits the bill nicely. The flat bezel set Cerrillos turquoise stone has turned a very dark green due to age and use. The handcrafted repousse elements are misaligned with the sets of punch-outs being at different heights on either side on the Cerrillos turquoise centerpiece, indicating the piece was 100% handcrafted. The stamps above and below the repousse elements vary in position from side to side, the lizard, caterpillar and arrowhead stamps also vary in position. The sterling band itself is hand cut and also varies in width—NOT machine cut or stamped. As is common there is no artisan hallmark or sterling stamp—the bracelet tests positive for sterling. It measures 5” around the inside plus a 1.25” gap, weighing 12 grams (pretty respectable for a tourist era bracelet) with a face height of 3/8” at the center. This is a unique and charming example of the Fred Harvey Era, completely handcrafted and highly collectable.
