Four Row Snake Eyes Turquoise and Silver Bracelet [R]

This bracelet was fashioned in a manner that took four individual silver bracelets and combined them into a single bracelet. They were attached at each end with solder. There are 12 silver drops between each row which serve as the anchor points to keep the bracelets separate. There are another 12 silver drops on the outer edge. The bracelet is topped with four rows, each containing 12 small round and domed turquoise cabs, commonly called snake eyes.

Fashioning each of the individual bracelets of silver from flat silver bars and stamping each end, adding 12 small silver dots on the edge, fashioning and securing the 12 turquoise cabs in silver bezels that were soldered to the bracelet, for each of the four individual bracelets was only the beginning.  To finish the bracelet, the four individual ones were soldered together at their ends. The result, of course, is a strikingly beautiful bracelet.

The bracelet is not stamped with a maker’s name but we know from examination that it was a Zuni Pueblo jeweler and lapidary artist of great talent and much patience.

Condition: very good condition

Recommended Reading: Zuni Jewelry -with price guide by Theda and Michael Bassman

Provenance: from a private collection