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A wonderful Navajo silver cuff bracelet
attributed to Austin Wilson, c. 1930’s-40’s
This outstanding silver cuff bracelet was clearly made by an extremely talented master Navajo silversmith. The design is exceptionally arresting, visually dynamic and most beautifully balanced, the four large repouseed panels which form the basis of the design are deep and perfectly executed and the surrounding stampwork borders are most beautifully and precisely rendered.
The overall design layout and exalted quality of the craftsmanship in this bracelet are very strongly reminiscent of the distinguished work of the renowned Navajo master silversmith, Austin (Ike) Wilson who was active during this time period. Wilson worked most of his career for the renowned Zuni Pueblo Indian Trader, Charles Garrett (C.G) Wallace (1896-1992) and this bracelet has the visual pizzazz, streamlined, clean-lined Modernist design sense and intense technical virtuosity so often evident in Wilson’s work for Wallace’s high-end clientele.
One can easily imagine this bracelet to have been a special piece made for and sold by Wallace to one of these important clients. As an interesting historic sidebar, Austion Wilson was not only a great silversmith himself. He was a formidable silversmithing teacher as evidence by the runaway success of the extraordinary work of his talented former apprentice and nephew, contemporary Navajo silversmith McKee Platero (b. 1957).
Above, C.G. Wallace with some of his Native silversmiths at his trading post at Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, c. 1920's.
Photo source and © Sotheby Parke Bernet
The bracelet measures 1 3/8” in continuous width all the way around. The inner circumference endto-end is 5 13/16” and the gap between the terminals is 1 1/2” for a total interior circumference of 7 5/16”. The bracelet weighs a substantial yet very comfortable and wearable 65.9 grams or 2.32 ounces. It is in completely excellent original condition with normal age-appropriate wear and a fine soft patina. The silver surface has that beautiful bright, high-keyed “whitish” color which is so desirable in vintage Navajo silverwork.
This bracelet is a very special one, a most distinctive, unique and magnificently crafted historic piece
to own and wear with great pride and pleasure.
Price $3,850
