Antique Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Native Hopi Style TAXCO Cuff Bracelet 12.5g

We have similar Taxco and Native Style items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. Listing Description by: Angela A. Age Circa : Antique Native American style C.

Markings : "925 Mexico" on the inside of the band. Gram Weight : 12.5 grams. Inner circumference, not including the cuff gap: 5.93. Cuff Gap adds an additional: 0.85. Total wearable length and inner circumference: 6.78.

The large wrist gap measures 2.31 from end to end. Closure/Clasp Type: This bracelet is meant to be worn over the wrist through the gap. Link Type: Rounded and polished sterling silver. Handmade during the 1960s in Mexico by a talented Taxco artisan in the Hopi overlay style.

Features a design of geometric motifs created using the overlay style, which consists of sheets of sterling silver, some punched with designs, soldered to each other. Lower relief areas were blackened for lovely contrast. The inside of the band is smooth and polished for comfortable wear. The band is slightly off-round, but this does not affect wear and is easily repairable by your local jeweler if desired. Tarnish on some areas of the sterling silver gives the piece a lovely antique quality.

This listing is for the item only. Taxco, Mexico is famous for producing the finest sterling silver jewelry in the world. Taxco has a rich history of silver-making, with the Aztecs being the first to mine and craft sterling silver for adornment and ceremony.

In the 1920s, an American artist named William Spratling moved to Taxco. Being inspired by pre-Columbian and Aztec art, Spratling built a successful jewelry business. Many local aspiring artisans started apprenticing under him, and he eventually developed an apprenticeship program, with many famous silversmiths having learned there. The Taxco tradition of silversmithing is still carried on by the local artisan community today.

The members of the Hopi nation are the oldest continuous inhabitants of Arizona and are known for their beautiful jewelry made of sterling silver. Prior to first contact with Spanish colonialists and explorers, Hopi jewelry was made from carved stones, shell, bone, and wood which not only served as decoration or ornamentation but as religious and spiritual objects as well. Historians believe that Sikyatala of Walpi was the first member of the Hopi nation to learn the art of silversmithing, which he in turn introduced to the early Hopi silversmiths. Initially, Hopi jewelry was similar in design to pieces being created by the Navajo and Zuni and was commonly made out of recycled shell casings and copper wire. It wasnt until after World War II that Hopi silversmiths developed their own distinct style utilizing a technique known as overlay. This technique was combined with ancient cultural symbolism and beliefs to create beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry that are highly sought after. Hopi overlay jewelry was first developed following the Second World War by Hopi silversmiths and jewelers as they created their own distinct style of jewelry, setting themselves apart from Zuni and Navajo silversmiths. This silversmithing technique involves punching designs out of a sheet of sterling silver which is then overlaid over another sheet of silver. The two sheets are soldered together, resulting in a raised design. To create contrast in the piece, parts of the lower sheet of silver are darkened using various patina agents. The item "Antique Vintage 925 Sterling Silver Native Hopi Style TAXCO Cuff Bracelet 12.5g" is in sale since Saturday, November 14, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Bracelets". The seller is "abeautifultimeco" and is located in Fort Collins, Colorado. This item can be shipped worldwide.

Country of Origin: Mexico
Country/Region of Manufacture: Mexico
Style: Cuff
Ethnic Origin: Mexican
Metal Purity: .925
Main Stone: No Stone
Brand: Taxco
Metal: Sterling Silver
Jewelry Type: Bracelets