Juan De Dios (1882-1944) Cast Silver and Turquoise Bracelet w 14 Stones, Size 7

One of the designs that was unique to Juan DeDios is exemplified in this piece, his cast bracelet with the floating stones. He did several variations, this one having 8 stones across the top in alternating positions, and 3 stones on each terminal end. The turquoise used is absolutely beautiful. On the interior of the bracelet you can see the trading post code scratched into it. This piece dates to the 1920s.
Weight: 53 grams
Inside length end to end: 5 7/8"
Gap between ends: 1 3/8
Height: 1 1/8"
Juan De Dios (1882-1944; Zuni). One of the earliest Zuni silversmiths, active between 1918 and the 1940s. Cast work; channel and mosaic inlay. Employed at the CG Wallace Trading Post at Zuni in the 1930s. He also worked for trader John Kennedy. Juan de Dios is also one of the first silversmiths to start hallmarking his pieces (with a JD in the 1930s). Juan taught his nephew Dan Simplicio (1917-1969) silversmithing and both worked for CG Wallace. John Adair (Author of The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths , © 1944), considered Juan De Dios to be one of the very best silversmiths doing cast work, which is what he was most noted for.