Vintage 1920s–30s Turquoise & Sterling Ingot Cuff

Dating to the 1920s or 1930s, this early Southwestern cuff is hand worked from ingot silver and set with three natural turquoise stones.

Unlike later jewelry made from commercially produced silver stock, ingot silver begins as a solid mass of silver that is hammered and worked into shape by hand. The process was commonly used by Southwestern Native American silversmiths during the early part of the 20th century and gives the cuff its substantial weight and irregular, hand-worked character.

Three turquoise stones are individually set across a split-shank cuff with twisted silver wire detailing. Nearly a century of wear has left the silver with a deep natural patina.

Marked sterling on the interior.

Vintage. Circa 1920s–30s. Ingot sterling silver and natural turquoise. American Southwest.