Sterling Silver Bracelet with Avanyu and Coral [SOLD]

Prominently featuring a gorgeous and rare coral gemstone on the front, this is truly a unique bracelet made by Diné of the Navajo Nation jeweler Kee Yazzie. It also contains a long, symbolic Avanyu design raised from the textured background, and underneath the coral setting. The entire surface behind the Avanyu is textured in a style resembling water movement--the Avanyu is a water serpent.

Today, high quality coral is extremely rare. Demand from Chinese consumers and over harvesting have led to scarcity of the popular jewelry element. One of the most desired components of Southwestern jewelry, coral is technically not a stone: it is the skeletal remains of a sea animal that lives in warm waters. Navajo and Pueblo jewelers were first introduced to coral by the early Spanish traders who had obtained it from Mediterranean fishermen off the coast of Spain. Fascinated by the deep color, silversmiths began integrating coral into their jewelry.

Water is a highly important resource in the Southwest, and as Avanyu is the water serpent deity, it is often seen on jewelry, pottery, and other pieces made by Native Americans. On this bracelet the Avanyu stretches almost the entire length, being just as important as the coral stone.

The bottom of the bracelet is signed KEE.

Kee Yazzie was born in Arizona in 1969 and went to college at Brigham Young University in Utah, studying architectural and drafting design. He is of Navajo and Hopi descent and is a self-taught artist who has been making jewelry since 1995. He has won awards from Eight Northern Pueblo, the Navajo Market at the Museum of Northern Arizona, the Heard Museum, in addition to many others. Interestingly, he also speaks multiple languages, including Laotian, Thai, and Khmer.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR WRIST FOR BRACELET SIZE

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Sterling Silver Bracelet with Avanyu and Coral is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: CONTEMPORARY SOUTHWESTERN JEWELRY by Diana Pardue

TAGS: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Navajo Nation, Hopi Pueblo, Kee Yazzie