Stillwater Cuff

Origin
Cydonia Agricultural Dome
Ganoid Exchange companion commission

Physical Description

The Stillwater Cuff is a wide, articulated wrist bracelet composed of nine Ivory Gar teeth, laid horizontally rather than vertically.

Each tooth is set lengthwise along the wrist, with the blunt root ends facing inward and the tapered points angled subtly toward the hand. The teeth are handpicked from the same ivory gar as the collar, matched for color tone and enamel texture.

Between each tooth segment is a narrow, quiet hinge of brushed titanium alloy. The hinges allow the cuff to flex smoothly without clicking or binding, giving it the feel of a single continuous piece when worn.

The inner surface is lined with soft leather over a cryspoly mesh, contoured to sit just above the wrist bones. The cuff is substantial without being cumbersome.

Weight is approximately one kilogram.

Materials

• ivory gar teeth from the same specimen as the collar
• brushed titanium articulation links
• cryspoly structural backing
• vegetable-tanned leather lining
• concealed biometric clasp keyed to the collar’s owner

The clasp opens only when the matching collar is nearby, subtly suggesting the set should not be separated.

Craftsmanship

The cuff was fabricated by the same artisan, Tarek al-Mensae, at the same time as the Collar of Stillwater.

Unlike the collar, which emphasizes vertical presence and social weight, the cuff emphasizes motion. The articulation tolerances are extremely tight. When worn, the bracelet glides rather than shifts.

The artisan polished the teeth a bit less than those on the collar, thus preserving more of the natural surface texture. This creates a quiet contrast when the two pieces are worn together.

Cultural Meaning

The Stillwater Cuff signifies active authority rather than established status.

Traditionally, Dominika Izaäk, née Chiemeka, wore it when she:
• negotiated directly rather than through proxies
• oversaw labor or infrastructure
• expected to be obeyed in practical matters
• valued function alongside symbolism

Wearing it with the collar indicates that a person both commands resources and understands how they produce them.