Vintage Alberto Contreras Bracelet of Turquoise

About the Piece: Vintage Bracelet of Turquoise and Silver by Master Silversmith Alberto Contreras

While Alberto Contreras was not Native American, his work is only a few degrees separated from some of the great modernist Native jewelry - Contreras Sr. trained under master Italian silversmith Frank Patania Sr. in the late 1940's. This is the Frank Patania of Thunderbird Shop renown, a rare talent who also exchanged designs  and techniques with such Native American greats as Julian Lovato and Lewis Lomay. Out of the Thunderbird Shop came a distinctive, modern style of fine Native American jewelry.

Alberto Contreras too was influenced by this style of design as evidenced by this striking bracelet of turquoise set in a wide silver trough. Over time, the bracelet has wonderfully oxidized so that the silver background is dark and sets of the bright blue turquoise stones.

The piece measures 5 1/2" inside with a 1" gap where the sides of the bracelet gently taper. The width is 1 1/8". It's hallmarked with Alberto Contreras Sr's original AC hallmark. It comes from the collection of a woman with a love for early Patania (and Patania adjacent) jewelry.

Watch this video to see Alberto Contreras' bracelet in action. 

Summary:

Item: Vintage Alberto Contreras Bracelet of Turquoise Stones

Attribution: Alberto Contreras, Hispanic heritage

Materials: Sterling Silver and Turquoise

Dimensions: The piece measures 5 1/2" inside with a 1" gap where the sides of the bracelet gently taper. The width is 1 1/8"

Signature: hallmarked with Alberto Contreras Sr's original AC mark

Provenance: from the collection of a woman with a love for early Patania (and Patania adjacent) jewelry