Rare Harvey Begay Navajo Sterling Silver Sand Cast Green Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
This hand made sand cast sterling silver and turquoise cuff, was made by a talented Navajo artist and signed with the initials HB. There is some uncertainty about the identity of the artist that made this cuff. The centerpiece is a beautiful natural green turquoise cabochon with chocolate brown matrix. My best assessment is green Royston turquoise. The cab is domed, highly polished and securely set in the saw tooth bezel. The cuff has diamond shaped terminals, deeply chiseled sides, stamp work and detailed, stamped rain beads. The back is signed “H B” and “sterling”. Inside circumference: 5″ Gap: 1 1/4″ (not adjustable due to thickness of the silver). Width at widest part: 5/8 Weight in grams about 24. The cuff is signed HB as pictured. These are the initials used by iHarvey Begay (see below for more information about this famous, important artist and his hallmarks). Harrison Bitsue also signs with these initials, and an arrow, but there is no arrow on this piece. I have ruled out. Henry Baca and Heidi Bigknife – the only other HB artists listed in Bille Hougart’s book, based on font and style of work. Please make your own determination about the artist and send me your best offer accordingly. Please read on for more information about the two most likely makers. About Harvey Begay’s hallmark : Master artist Harvey Begay (RIP 2009) typically signed with HB conjoined letters, usually on a plate, although he used a variety of hallmarks. In “Hallmarks of the Southwest” by Barton Wright, it does show that Harvey Begay sometimes signed H B (not conjoined) with a font that matches this piece. Harvey worked in many styles, including traditional sand and tufa casting, lost wax casting, as well as more modern styles like his famous father, Kenneth Begay. The following excerpt about Harvey Begay is from Bille Hougart’s “Native American and Southwestern Silver Hallmarks”. He worked briefly at the White Hogan with his father in jewelry silversmithing and design before opening his own shop, The Navajo Craftsman, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. His design style and creative motifs are often described as outgrowths of his father’s strong influence. In 2005 Begay was named an Arizona living treasure. Harvey’s work is highly collectible and is displayed in galleries and museums throughout the world. He also had a lively career in aviation during the Vietnam war, and later was a fighter jet test pilot for McDonnell Douglas. About Harrison Bitsue: a skilled Navajo jewelry maker who has been active since 1980. He learned from his father and also extended family members including Harry Morgan and Robert Chee. He signs in more than one way, but sometimes with HB and an arching arrow. His style is typically traditional sand cast work , sometimes with set turquoise stones. (per Perry Null website). Harrison Bitsue (or an unknown maker with these initials). I would appreciate hearing from an. Source about the identity of this artist. A quick google search turned up other traditional sand cast pieces by Harvey that were signed in his more usual manner, so he did indeed do some traditional sand cast jewelry. Harrison Bitsue also does quality sand cast jewelry, with influence from fine silversmiths as mentioned above. The HB is a match, although there is no arrow, and the style of jewelry would fit his style. So the bottom line is. Please make your own determination about the artist and make me an offer accordingly. I appreciate respectful feedback if you have read this entire listing and have helpful information to contribute. Items are enlarged to show detail. I leave patina intact so you can decide to polish or not. Any mention of type of turquoise is my best assessment; Please draw your own conclusions. If happy, please leave 5 star feedback. Thank you for looking! Please see my other listings. The item “RARE HARVEY BEGAY NAVAJO STERLING SILVER SAND CAST GREEN TURQUOISE CUFF BRACELET” is in sale since Thursday, December 12, 2019. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Bracelets”. The seller is “turquoise_cache” and is located in Littleton, Colorado. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Featured Refinements: Turquoise Cuff
- Country of Origin: United States
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Style: Cuff
- Metal Purity: .925
- Artisan: HB – HARVEY BEGAY
- Main Stone: Turquoise
- Metal: Sterling Silver
- Brand: Hand Made One of a Kind
- Jewelry Type: Bracelets
- Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
