Presented in this lot are two (2) turquoise watchbands. First is a Signed Navajo B. James Turquoise and Coral Inlay Wristwatch Band. James was a silversmith who worked under acclaimed Navajo artist Gilbert Ortega. Tommy Singer is credited with first using the chip inlay method, as he had chips of cut off stone on his workbench and figured out how to utilize them. The turquoise inlay is a Bear Track symbol which represents a direction and are also symbols of leadership. The meaning of the Bear Track symbol was to signify a good omen and convey authority. The coral inlay is a Feathered Serpent symbol. The Feathered Serpent is also known as the 'Skysnake'. The Feathered Serpent is associated with rain, thunder storms and waterways. The zigzag and meandering lines of the serpent or snake are symbolic of water and the feathers represent the ability of the feathered serpent to fly to the sky. The Feathered Serpent symbol meaning represented life and the renewal of life, just like water. The Feathered Serpent was the feared guardian of life and the forces of life. Pueblo villages held ceremonies relating to the feathered serpent. The watchband is stainless flexible, expandable, no obvious marring noted. HMIJ is a hallmark of the Gilbert Ortega Shop, located on the rear of both inlay cuffs. The second stamped watchband has six (6) small turquoise cabochons, crystal and bezel are for a small ladies or child's watch. Both watchbands are Old Pawn style. "Old Pawn" is a term used for Native American jewelry, made by Native Americans, and worn by Native Americans, not for public production or the tourist trade. These old pawn pieces were taken to a Trading Post, where the items were pawned for a certain amount of money and then redeemed when the sum was paid back. Stones in the older pieces will not be as great of quality as some of the pieces made in the 1940s to today. The Native Americans usually found these stones laying on the ground; stones were usually not mined for at that particular time. Rich patina exhibited on both watchbands, larger measures 5.5"L, the smaller is 3.5"L