Navajo Fred Harvey Turquoise Silver Thunderbird Bracelet 1930's Vintage

  

From a forgotten box in my office closet (and a Tucson estate over twenty years ago) is this obviously vintage Navajo silver split front bracelet of so called Fred Harvey style. The I believe 1930's or perhaps earlier 1940's cuff features a 15mm green turquoise centerpiece and applied silver thunderbirds at the shoulders of the band. Thunderbirds depictions are a desirable presence within this genre of southwestern ornaments, and in this case you get a pair. Each of the birds is enhanced by pipe and prepared stamp embellishment, chiseled feather detail, and a turquoise stone set to its chest. Hand struck pairs of undulating snakes, squash blossoms and sun symbols, and of course arrows decorate the band.

The band itself shows visible diagnostic indicators of rolled ingot metal. It also has that old style elongated "C" shaping as proper.

Put another way, it is period and has "the look". So you know the ninety plus year old former owner had a number of Pueblo and other Southwestern bracelets she wore about in groupings - two decades later I've finally gotten to them and here is yet another. Weight is good for the form at about 29.4 grams on my portable digital scale. Condition is quite fine with an aura of time to the silver surfaces. I have avoided every urge to refresh away or "improve" upon the natural toning - you want that done you do it.

The turquoise sets are nicely patinated and well preserved. Typical and expected evidence of previous wrist duty simply validates a history. A look at the pics should give a good idea of appearance and condition - a classic Fred Harvey style bracelet that will look great worn about in Santa Fe or wherever you live. Inner circumference is about 5 3/8 in.

I don't know what else need be said, so there you are. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Bracelets & Charms". The seller is "pooterpee" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.

1. Brand: Estate
2. Style: Cuff
3. Type: Bracelet
4. Main Stone: Turquoise
5. Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American
6. Metal: Sterling or Coin Silver
7. Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
8. Vintage: Yes
9. Handmade: Yes