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A unique contemporary Navajo silver and Morenci turquoise bangle bracelet by Perry Shorty, 2015
Ex: Martha H. Struever Collection, Santa Fe, NM
PERRY SHORTY is an ultra-traditional Navajo silversmith in the modern era. He hand makes all of his jewelry
in a completely traditional and classic way using solely traditional materials, traditional methods and antique tools and the results are just sensational. In terms of the materials, methods and techniques used to make it, this gorgeous bangle could date from 1910, yet, as you can clearly see, it also looks like a streamlined piece
of modern metal sculpture; pure, clean and elegant. It’s a fabulous synthesis of the old ways with a modern viewpoint. Round-profile silver bangles such as these were made by Navajo silversmiths without stones from the 1870’s onwards, and beginning around 1890 small turquoise, garnet or other stones were sometimes added.
Perry’s somewhat modern twist on this particular piece was to flatten and flare the bracelet’s terminals out slightly to give them a different profile and a more even and wider platform on which to set the good-sized stones. The two turquoises are beautiful, high-grade, gem-quality sky-blue stones from the famed Morenci mine
in Southern Arizona. We have had quite a number of Perry Shorty’s wonderful bracelets over the years, but we have never seen another one like this. It has an almost magical extra level of elegance, simplicity and refinement, making it a truly unique and singular piece in our estimation, a Navajo expression, if you will, of the Modernist architectural dictum, "Less is more".
The bracelet is 1/4” in width most of the way around and it widens slightly to 3/8” in width at the flattened and flared-out terminals. The interior circumference is 5 3/8” and the gap between the terminals is 13/16” for a total interior circumference of 6 3/16”. The bracelet weighs 50 grams or 1 3/4 ounces, which is a very good weight for such a slim piece, but it is supremely comfortable on the wrist with a nice, substantial feel. Due to the thickness of the silver shank, this bracelet would be difficult if not impossible to adjust and we would not advise this. Also, please note, the bracelet's profile is quite round and thus might not be as comfortable on flatter-shaped wrists.
The provenance of this piece is also excellent. We purchased it in 2015 from our longtime Santa Fe colleague
and friend, the late great Indian art dealer, Martha H. Struever who purchased it directly from Perry Shorty.
The bracelet is in excellent-plus original condition and it is properly signed on the interior with Perry Shorty’s distinctive “P. Shorty” cursive signature. This bracelet is a classic, elegant and truly timeless piece from one
of the country's finest, most talented Native American artists.
Price $3,950
