A Lloyd Oliver Navajo sterling silver and turquoise cuff bracelet
Lloyd Oliver (1923-2011, Dine)
Mid/late 20th century
Stamped: LO**check mark
A chunky four-wire cuff with a large central plaque with bezel set turquoise slabs and stamped edging and shoulders
7" total inner C x 4" H, with a 1.375" gap
229.4 grams gross

Other Notes: Dine silversmith Lloyd Oliver was one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. Lloyd grew up in Shiprock, New Mexico and graduated from Shiprock Agricultural High School in 1941. Enlisting in the Marines a year later at the age of 19, he became one of the first of an elite group later named the Navajo Code Talkers. Oliver served in the Marines as a code talker, scout and sniper until 1945, when he was discharged with the rank of corporal. He returned to Shiprock, and later moved to Phoenix to find work, where he learned silver- and metalsmithing, and developed a distinctive style as a jewelry maker. He supported himself selling his work through Atkinson's Trading Post in Scottsdale, Arizona, continuing to work well into his 70s.
Oliver's family knew nothing of the code talkers until their work was declassified and they were publicly recognized by President George W. Bush in 2001. As a member of the original 29, Oliver was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal.
Remembered by family members as being industrious, active, and self-sufficient, some also recall his humble side, as a grandson recalls: "Fame and fortune is not what Lloyd was about," he said. "He was humble in everything. He always said, 'the more humble you are, the more beautiful you are ... and don't be lazy.'"
Sources: Jan-Mikael Patterson, "Final Reveille: Code Talker, Silversmith Lloyd Oliver Left His Mark History," "The Navajo Times," March 24, 2011.
https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2020/11/24/remembering-lloyd-oliver-u-s-marine-navajo-code-talker/

Overall good condition with light tarnishing and scratches commensurate with age and use. Stones with scattered abrasions and surface reaching fractures. Tests for sterling. Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.