A hand-made sterling silver and turquoise Native American cuff.  This cuff consists of a frame of braided sterling silver wire that diverges in the center holding three round cabochon, sea-foam green turquoise stones each of which is flanked by a Thunderbird hand carved and engraved in silver.

The series of four Native American vintage silver 'Firebird' motifs are more than just decorative.  It is considered a supernatural being of power and strength, and is often seen as a protector of humans. The Thunderbird holds special significance to Native American tribes.  For example, to those of Puget Sound it was this mythical bird that brought them fire in order for them to cook, keep themselves warm and survive the long, brutal, winters. To the Chinook, they believe they are descendants of the thunderbird.  It is a mythical creature that is depicted in jewellery, art and pictograms all across the Americas.

Pieces made like this are rarely signed as there is very little space on the back of the cuff to engrave or stamp. The piece likely dates from the latter part of the 20th Century, it is not attributed to any particular artist.