Lot 177B
Two Navajo Silver Cuffs - One by Orville Tsinnie
Two Navajo Silver Cuffs - One by Orville Tsinnie
Starting Bid: $550
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Orville Z. Tsinnie (Native American, Navajo, 1943-2017) and Anonymous Native American (active XX century). A pair of mid to late 20th century Navajo sterling silver bracelets, each handcrafted in traditional style. The first, by renowned silversmith Orville Z. Tsinnie (Native American, Navajo, 19432017), features a heavy band with a boldly twisted central rope bordered by scalloped, stamped decoration. The interior is stamped with Tsinnie's hallmark and stamped: "Orville Tsinnie / Shiprock, New Mexico," as well as "STERLING." Tsinnie, active from the 1970s until his passing in 2017, was celebrated for his mastery in silverwork that combined bold geometry with refined detail, and his work remains highly sought after in both Native American and contemporary jewelry collections. Size (both about the same): 2.8" L x 2.3" W (7.1 cm x 5.8 cm); of opening: 0.9" W (2.3 cm); silver quality: both 94%; weight: 216.4 grams
The second cuff, unsigned, has a wider band with applied silver beadwork framed by scalloped edges and stamped crescent motifs. Though lacking hallmarks, its craftsmanship reflects the distinctive Navajo aesthetic of the 20th century, characterized by substantial silver forms and textural surface treatments. Together, these bracelets represent two approaches within the Navajo silversmithing tradition - one marked by a master's individual style and signature, the other embodying the enduring design vocabulary of Navajo adornment.
About Orville Tsinnie: Orville Z. Tsinnie (1943-2017) was a renowned Dine silversmith, jewelry maker, and katsina carver from the Navajo Nation. Born in Tuba City, Arizona, into a family of jewelers, he later settled in Shiprock, New Mexico, where he spent most of his life and career. He began working with silver in 1973 after learning the craft from his Hopi brother-in-law, Horace Emerson. Over the next five decades, he established himself as one of the leading Navajo silversmiths of his generation, admired for his mastery of heavy-gauge silver and his ability to balance traditional forms with innovative designs.
Tsinnie worked with both classic stones such as turquoise and lapis and more unusual materials like fossilized dinosaur bone and coral. He shared hallmark stamps with his wife Darlene, also a jeweler, and often used the silhouette of Shiprock as a distinctive maker's mark. His pieces were regularly featured at the Santa Fe Indian Market and exhibited at major institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Heard Museum. He was also respected for his katsina carvings, which reflected his deep cultural grounding.
Over the course of his career, Tsinnie received many honors, including the Indian Arts and Crafts Association's Artist of the Year award and their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In 1986 he took first place at the Navajo Craftsman Exhibition at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Today, his work is represented in permanent collections such as the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.
Beyond his artistry, Tsinnie dedicated much of his life to serving his community. He worked as a Navajo police officer, as a personnel administrator for the Navajo Nation, and advocated for public health, education, employment, and tribal rights. Together with his wife, he ran a gallery and studio in Shiprock, creating a space for Navajo artistry and cultural exchange.
He passed away in Shiprock on May 23, 2017, at the age of 73, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, cultural pride, and artistry that continues to influence Native jewelry makers and collectors around the world.
Provenance: private Lafayette, Colorado, USA collection
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#196911
- Condition: Light patina in areas, but easily cleanable. Otherwise, both are intact, excellent, and wearable. Twisted bracelet is stamped "Orville Tsinnie / Shiprock, New Mexico," as well as "STERLING" and Tsinnie's hallmark
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