Bracelet, all silver, split racetrack design, tufa cast, Zuni artist Bennie Bowakaty

Overview

Forged from fire and stone, this tufa cast sterling silver bracelet by Zuni silversmith Bennie Bowakaty features a minimalist split racetrack design with bold negative space and balanced lines. The tactile texture of the tufa stone casting process is preserved throughout, delivering a raw yet refined finish that honors tradition while pushing form forward.

Key Features

• Tufa Cast Construction – Hand-poured molten silver into carved tufa stone molds creates a soft, grainy texture that can’t be replicated by modern casting. Each piece is truly one of one.

• Split Racetrack Design – Parallel tracks frame a clean central negative space, creating the visual rhythm of motion, speed, and symmetry.

• All Sterling Silver – Solid .925 silver construction with a satin-to-matte finish highlights both depth and restraint.

• Artisan Made – Signed by Bennie Bowakaty, a respected Zuni artist known for merging sculptural modernism with ancestral methods.

• Unisex, Wearable Art – Its simplicity makes it a versatile daily cuff while retaining enough presence for collectors and galleries.

Why It Belongs in a Serious Collection

• Cast, Not Fabricated – Tufa casting is an ancient process requiring great skill; every flaw and texture is part of the story.

• Cultural Craftsmanship – Zuni silversmithing traditions are less commonly represented in tufa cast work—making this a rare fusion of tribal origin and technical method.

• Minimalist, But Not Modest – There’s nothing flashy here—but every curve, groove, and grain speaks to intention and mastery.

• Perfectly Balanced – Geometry, weight, and space converge in a bracelet that feels architecturally precise and spiritually grounded.