Chimney Butte Onyx Cuff, Large Oval Black Onyx, Hand Stamped Navajo Sterling, 148g
The biggest cuff of this group by Chimney Butte, a 56 mm oval black onyx in a twisted rope bezel on a wide hand stamped band, 148 grams.
Specifications
- Metal: Sterling silver
- Artist: Chimney Butte, Navajo (Dine)
- Stone: Onyx, cabochon, 56 by 32 mm
- Inner circumference: 5.875 inches (14.9 cm)
- Opening gap: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Total wrist fit: 6.875 inches (17.5 cm)
- Band width: 41.25 mm (1.62 inches)
- Weight: 148 grams
- Stone setting: 66 mm across, twisted rope bezel
Hallmarks
- Chimney Butte, script maker's stamp
- Sterling
- JG, the stamper's mark (Juan Guerrero)
All three marks are struck on the back. Chimney Butte is the maker's mark; JG is the stamper's; Sterling is the silver standard.
About the Piece
The stone is the reason for this one. A tall oval cabochon, 56 by 32 mm, domed and polished until it works like a black mirror. It is set in a plain bezel with an oxidised recess behind it, then ringed in twisted silver rope, and the dark surround makes the stone read even deeper than it is.
The band is 41.25 mm wide, which is wide even for a Navajo cuff, and it is stamped the whole way: a row of pointed chevrons flanked by fan scalloped borders, cut deep and oxidised dark.
148 grams. This is the heaviest of the four and it wears like a piece of armour, in the good way.
Two marks means two hands. Chimney Butte is the studio and the maker's mark; JG is Juan Guerrero, who does the stamping for the studio. On a piece where the stamping is the whole point, it is worth knowing whose hand held the punch.
Black onyx is chalcedony, and virtually all black onyx on the market, including this piece, is colour treated. That is the industry norm and it is stable and permanent, but it should be stated rather than assumed.
Chimney Butte is a Navajo (Dine) silversmith working out of New Mexico in a deliberately old style idiom: heavy gauge sterling, deep hand stamping, repousse, sandcast work, and good named mine turquoise. The mark is one of the most recognisable in contemporary Southwestern silver, which is part of why the work holds its value. This piece is stamped Chimney Butte, Sterling and JG on the back.
Styling
A wide cuff carries a wrist on its own, so wear it with the arm otherwise bare or with one plain bangle for company. There is flex in the band: it can be opened or closed a little to fit. Do that once, gently, with both hands on the terminals, then leave it. Sterling work-hardens each time it is bent, and it is repeated adjustment that cracks a cuff.
Condition
Excellent. Newly made and unworn, with the deep oxidised finish the maker applies to the stamped recesses.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description.
This listing is for one cuff only.
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