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A stunning and superbly-crafted Navajo silver and orange Spondylus shell bracelet by Jennifer Curtis, c. 2024
How many little girls grow up literally with a silversmith’s hammer in their small hands? Jennifer Curtis (b.1964)
is one who did, first beginning to work silver at the very tender age of eight at the side of her famous Father, the outstanding Navajo silversmith Thomas Curtis, Sr. (1942-2013).
The old saying “Like Father, Like Daughter” certainly applies here and in spades. Jennifer Curtis is a very serious and especially talented chip off the old block; Thomas Curtis Sr. taught and mentored the young Jennifer in all aspects
of traditional Navajo silversmithing and you can clearly see the marvelous similarities in the work of these two fine artists; use of heavy solid silver, intricate, precisely and deeply-applied stamp and chisel work and a powerful, bold
and compelling traditional design sensibility.
At left, Thomas Curtis Sr. and his daughter Jennifer at a rodeo event in Arizona, c. 1990's.
At right, Jennifer Curtis’s handmade jewelry stamps which she inherited from her father.
Left photo source and © Arizona Highways Magazine. Right photo source and © Four Winds Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA.
"What my work represents is what I want someone to see in me-that I care about what I make. The awards are great honors, but the most important accomplishment is meeting the standards of my family.”
-Jennifer Curtis
“My work is an extension of my history, my family. My biggest influence is my master, my teacher, my father. His recent passing has brought special meaning to each swing of the hammer, each design I create.”
-Jennifer Curtis, 2014
This fine bracelet is a simply exceptional example of Jennifer Curtis’ work, an extremely attractive, beautifully-crafted and easily wearable piece by one of the most talented Navajo silversmiths working today. Aesthetically and technically, it is first-rate in every aspect. The large, finely-serrated bezel which holds the beautiful orange Spondylus or spiny oyster shell in the square-shaped central medallion stands out beautifully and dramatically from the silver shank on either side which is itself decorated with very detailed and deeply repousseed, stamped and chisel-worked designs.
There are also some interesting areas of fine delicate texturing of the silver along both sides of the shank. The highly-polished silver surface of the bracelet’s shank has a remarkably beautiful and visually intense “color” and glow.
Jennifer Curtis in her studio.
Jennifer Curtis photo source and © Four Winds Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
The bracelet measures 1 1/8” in width at its widest center point and tapers down to 5/8” width at the terminal ends.
The inner circumference end-to-end is 5 3/8” and the gap between the terminals is 1” for a total interior circumference of 6 3/8”. The silver shank is 1/8” in thickness. The bracelet weighs a substantial 100 grams or 3 1/2 ounces yet it is extremely comfortable on the wrist. The bracelet is in brand-new original condition and it is properly signed on the interior with Jennifer Curtis’ cursive hallmark of her first name “Jennifer”.
This bracelet is a big statement, so to speak, with a bold commanding and imposing presence. Jennifer Curtis is on a distinct and dramatic roll these days, in our view her work in terms of its originality, quality of design and technical virtuosity and expression is rapidly approaching the exalted standard set by the reigning modern master of Navajo silver, McKee Platero. That is in every significant way but one, price, which you will notice immediately below.
Price $2,850
SOLD
