Vintage Large Fred Harvey Era Navajo Sterling SilverMontana Agate bracelet

  
Fantastic old Fred Harvey Era Silver & Picture Agate/ Cuff. This antique Southwestern Fred Harvey era bracelet is circa 1920s to 1930s features a highly polished stone of "Picture Agate, " which, like, is formed when quartz-rich mud is fossilized. The colors that are here--primarily gray-to-black and a warm terracotta color. The colors come from unique layers of various minerals, the specific chemical environment pH, moisture, temperature etc. Surrounding the mud or wood, in the case of picture agate along with the factor of time.

As in this case, a haunting scene has appeared, and so that's where the term Picture Agate comes from, as it is like peering into a picture. "Fred Harvey Era" applies to the timeframe of 1900 to the mid 20th Century, during which the Fred Harvey Company popularized the Southwest and promoted travel to the Southwest.

This was done by featuring Native American arts and culture in Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway calendars and publications. The company had a network of Fred Harvey Hotels, the gift shops of which were stocked with jewelry catering to the tourists. There are many trading posts and jewelry manufacturers that operated during this time--companies like Bell Trading--and their jewelry is also considered to be Fred Harvey Era. These companies mostly employed Navajo and Zuni silversmiths to make the jewelry based on traditional designs. However, since they are not signed by Native Americans, we call them Southwestern style. This particular piece is classic Fred Harvey era, the triple silver shank is adorned with exquisite silver raindrops. Just a fabulous old piece.

The widest point across the top is 1"? Wide, and taking a soft tape measure along the inside, the length is 5.4 plus a 1"½gap Weighs 53.3 grams. No marks but tested as sterling silver Great addition to your collection lovely piece of art?