These very pretty bracelets are the work of well-known Hopi artist
Ralph Tawangyaouma. Ralph Tawangyaouma was actively making jewelry from
1906 into the late 1960’s. He was known for his unique style in jewelry, not
always traditional overlay Hopi style. He was a very spiritual man and was a
Two-Horned Priest in his Hotevilla Village. He worked for a period of time in
Phoenix Arizona as a silversmith for Fred Wilson’s TP and Vaughn’s. His work is
highly collectable and adored by many!
These bracelets offers the best of Ralph's amazing abilities as
an artist and also a vintage piece of history. Beautiful stamp work designs are on
the sides with 10 raised ornaments across the face of the bracelets. We discovered a unique detail on the bracelets. Noticed some very small areas with a copper color to them. Looking closer with a high powered loop we could see, indeed it was copper embedded in 3 of the silver ornaments. Very small irregular areas where we believe his stamp must have had copper remnants left behind from him working with copper at some point. It adds to the wonder of his work. It also identifies these pieces as special. One of the bracelets appears to have been repaired along the way. Smooth repair and sturdy. One of these bracelets is pictured in the book, Reassessing Hallmarks by Pat and Kim Messier. Page 81. A must have book!
The center of the bracelets measures 1/2" wide, tapering slightly at bottom terminals. The inside measurement on one 5 1/2" with a 1"
opening, the other one measures 5 1/4 with a 1 1/8" opening. Slightly adjustable. One bracelet is hallmarked with Ralph’s
rain cloud and H and sterling. The other is stamped sterling. These are both his, as the main long stamps on the sides are identical as are the ornaments.