This ornate, large format Navajo ceremonial bracelet is from the 1940s, possibly very early 1950s. It’s simply gigantic, weighing 108 grams (3.6 Troy ounces), the face is 3.25” high and the face panel is 2.25” wide. The bezels are hand cut with a lot of attention to detail, and the twisted wire elements were all done by hand. The holly leaves and berries element is significant in that the holly bush is used during rituals by tribal elders. A “black tea” is made which acts as a stimulant as well as an emetic—the elders are purged of bad spirits, and thus being cleansed, are able to make better decisions concerning the welfare of the tribe. This ritual is seldom used any longer with Southwestern tribes employing peyote instead, which also purges the system and brings on visions that assist elders in their decision making. The file work element is also unusual in that the notches on the ends are angled—a seldom seen technique. If you’ll notice, the exaggerated oval stone fits snuggly into one of the holly leaf notches. This piece was designed around the stones, and as you can see, the gem quality Godber mine turquoise is outstanding in all respects. The triangular carinated bands that make up the shank measure a full .25” on the widest side—this is considered a very heavy gauge. It measures 5.25” around the inside plus a 1 3/8” gap. It’s hallmarked with an “L” inside a zia symbol and the artisan remains unidentified. The shank is attached in such a way to the face plate that an experienced jeweler could size/reshape the bracelet without damaging it. Even if this bracelet were never worn, it would undoubtedly be a major star of any collection—it’s in amazing condition with beautiful age patina. Highly collectable.
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