Navajo Multi Stone Bracelet

Navajo sterling silver and multi stone cuff bracelet by Navajo Silversmith Mark Chee. Overlaid stones of spiny oyster, turquoise, lapis and onyx. Stamped "Sterling" and maker's mark "ChEE" on inside. Mark Chee (1914-1981) “was born in Lukachukai, Arizona, and educated in the Indian school system. By the age of twenty, he was working as a silversmith in Santa Fe for Julius Gans at Southwest Arts and Crafts. “It was reported in the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper in 1958 that Chee made his own tools and only utilized the modern implements of torch, electric buffer, and silver saws. He worked in all techniques of silverwork including overlay, inlay, and hand-stamping, but is best known for his very heavy-gauge bracelets set with high-quality turquoise stones.