Offered is an ornate and heavy Native American Sterling silver figural bracelet that was owned by Elvis Presley and gifted to J.D. Sumner of The Stamps. The bracelet was eventually sold to Mike Moon, who ran the Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for many years. The accompanying signed and notarized letter from Mike Moon states in part:
I, Mike L. Moon, do solemnly swear the information contained in this Statement of Authenticity and the facts surrounding it are from the statements of J.D. Sumner. During the 1970s, when Elvis Presley was performing in Las Vegas, a Native American was frequently allowed to visit the hotel where Elvis was staying, and made custom turquoise jewelry for Elvis. He was referred to only as "Chief." On May 1, 1980, J.D. Sumner sold to the Elvis Museum of Pigeon Forge, TN a large assortment of Elvis Presley's personal possessions that Elvis gave to J.D. during the 1970s. Part of this group was the following item: ONE WIDE SILVER BRACELET, HINGED WITH SECTIONS, WITH DIFFERENT PEASANT MENS FACES ON EACH SECTION.
The bracelet's design features five faces in heavy relief on each of five silver sections connected with silver hinges. The faces exude merriment, and the center image includes a cask marked with an "XX," perhaps indicating the five gentlemen have been imbibing! Perhaps "Chief" was playing to stereotype, perhaps he was making a comment. Either way we're left with an interesting artifact from the jewelry collection of Elvis Presley.
The bracelet weighs a whopping 157 grams and is marked on the reverse "925," which indicates it is 92.5% silver, earning it a Sterling designation. It measures 7 inches in length and 2 1/8 inches in width, with the figural sculptures reaching more than 1/4 inches tall from the surface. The bracelet presents with only mild wear. Near Mint condition.