Late 20th Century Melvin Francis Navajo Sterling Silver & Orange Spiny Oyster Inlay Cuff Bracelet

Details

Description

A beautifully executed Navajo sterling silver cuff bracelet by silversmith Melvin Francis, featuring richly colored natural spiny oyster shell set … Read more A beautifully executed Navajo sterling silver cuff bracelet by silversmith Melvin Francis, featuring richly colored natural spiny oyster shell set within an elaborate handcrafted silver design. The sculptural silverwork demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, with carefully balanced decorative elements surrounding the shell. The contrast between the warm tones of the spiny oyster and the substantial sterling silver creates a particularly fine example of Navajo jewelry craftsmanship.

Spiny oyster shell has a long history in Native American adornment, reaching back to ancient trade networks that carried marine shells from coastal waters into the American Southwest. Prized for its rich natural colors, ranging from fiery orange and red to deep purple, shell also held associations with water in many Southwestern Indigenous traditions. Navajo silversmiths incorporated this material into sterling silver jewelry, continuing a much older tradition of working with shell while developing their own distinctive metalworking artistry.

Melvin Francis's accomplished silverwork is central to the appeal of this bracelet. Rather than relying solely on the beauty of the shell, the artist has created an intricate composition in which the silver setting is as important as the material it surrounds. Signed by the maker, this is a substantial, individually handcrafted example of Navajo jewelry.

New old stock acquired from a retired jeweler. The spiny oyster shell is intact, with no cracks or fissures. A small localized flaw is present in the silver to the right of the signature, reported to date from manufacture. Minor superficial surface wear and natural silver patina are present. Please note that the nature of the inlay does not allow the cuff to be adjusted.

Details
Maker: Melvin Francis
Country of Origin: United States
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo (Diné)
Period: Vintage, 20th century
Style: Native American, Southwestern, Artisan
Materials: Sterling silver, natural spiny oyster shell
Colors: Silver, shades of orange from bright to dark.
Markings: FRANCIS, STERLING
Weight: 60g.
Fit: Rigid cuff, not adjustable
Dimensions:
Interior width: 3⅛ inches
Interior depth: 2 inches
Opening between cuff ends: 1⅜ inches
inner circumference: approx. 6"
Total size including the gap: approx. 6.25" see photo See less