Description
6.5" Ben Nighthorse Campbell Cheyenne sterling silver cobblestone inlay cuff bracelet. Tested and guaranteed solid sterling silver with weight and measurements in pictures. Overall expected wear circa last quarter of the 20th century. This piece is handmade and hand signed by the artist. Later he had several lines that were just designed by him at different price points. There is one piece of inlay missing from interior.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell (April 13, 1933 – December 30, 2025) was a prominent Northern Cheyenne politician, jewelry designer, and Olympic athlete who represented Colorado in both chambers of the U.S. Congress. He was the first Native American to serve in the U.S. Senate in more than sixty years.
Political Career
Campbell was known for his independent, "maverick" political style and for switching parties mid-career.
State Legislature: Served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1983 to 1987.
U.S. House of Representatives: Represented Colorado’s 3rd district as a Democrat from 1987 to 1993.
U.S. Senate: Elected as a Democrat in 1992 and served until 2005. On March 3, 1995, he switched to the Republican Party, citing disagreements with Democratic fiscal policies.
Key Legislation: He was a primary sponsor of the bill that established the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian. He also sponsored the renaming of the Custer Battlefield to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
Early Life and Military Service
Background: Born in Auburn, California, to a Portuguese immigrant mother and a Northern Cheyenne father. He spent part of his childhood in an orphanage due to family hardships.
Military: Served as an air policeman in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War (1951–1953), reaching the rank of Airman Second Class.
Athletics and Arts
Judo: A three-time U.S. National Champion, Campbell won a gold medal at the 1963 Pan American Games. He served as the captain of the U.S. Olympic Judo team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Jewelry: He was an internationally recognized jewelry designer, winning over 200 awards. His work often featured traditional Native American motifs and was displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.
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