Diné Silver Stampwork and Channel Inlay Turquoise Bracelet by Jerry Nelson [SOLD]

This Diné Silver Stampwork and Channel Inlay Turquoise Bracelet by Jerry Nelson was formed from a solid silver band that varies in width from ⅜ inch to 1-¼ inch.  At the widest end is a series of deep carved designs in the Hopi overlay style. The predominant design here is a group of parallel feathers. Additional designs at that end are a kiva-step element with an incised line from its top and a large triangular maze abutting the feathers.  On the opposite, and smaller, end of the bracelet the design includes kiva steps, parallel inscribed lines and a simple maze, all executed in overlay style.

The channel inlay turquoise extends from end-to-end of the bracelet, but the majority of the turquoise is at the center.  Small rectangular cuts of turquoise are inset between thin silver frames.

Interestingly, the bracelet design is a combination of Diné, Hopi, and Zuni styles.  The overlay is of Hopi origin and the channel inlay is that of Zuni. Although artist Jerry T. Nelson is Diné, he was born in 1959 at Keams Canyon, Arizona, on the Hopi Reservation.  That could explain his exposure to Hopi overlay silver work. He now lives in one of the towns named Canoncito, New Mexico.  

As is frequently observed, a number of communities have the same name.  There are six known locations in New Mexico named Canoncito— in Mora, Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos Counties.  Which one is the location of Jerry Nelson is unknown.

Jerry Nelson has been honored with awards at Gallup Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a Santa Fe resident

Reference: American Indian Jewelry III: M - Z : 2,100 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

Relative Links: Navajo Naion, Southwest Indian Jewelry, Hopi Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo, Jerry T. Nelson