Hopi Sterling Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

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This is a hefty 32 gram silver cuff deeply etched with Southwest Native American Hopi imagery and niello work. The cuff is 3/4 inch wide, measuring 6 1/2 inches around with a 1 1/2 inch opening. The center of the cuff has a square chunk of Bisbee turquoise 1/2 x 1/4 inches. The cuff is marked with a Hopi maker's mark.

The Hopi nation began making silver jewelry in the early 1900's. With the help of the government, they formed the Hopi Silvercraft Guild in 1949. Hopi marks often represent their clan (family) and village. Later, in the 1960's, some silvermakers began using initials, similar to the Navajo. Due to inherent degenerative eyesight, most of the Hopi silvermakers did not produce for any length of time.