Attribution was made by comparison against a signed buckle with identical stamping and the same natural turquoise stones.
This handsome silver and turquoise buckle has a lot going on for its size.
The silver base is tufa cast with hand stamped decoration and for intense blue natural Nevada turquoise cabochons.
Aside from the rectanfular opening with center bar for the tongue, there are eight (8) more "cut outs".
When silver is poured to fix such an intricate pattern, it will have a tendency to cool in the narrow passages and not fill the entire space. This artist's skills made up for a lack of technology.
The style of this detailed buckle is Zuni. With the high grade turquoise and interesting design this treasure from the 1930's American Southwest does any fashionable waist proud.
| Description | Attribution was made by comparison against a signed buckle with identical stamping and the same natural turquoise stones. This handsome silver and turquoise buckle has a lot going on for its size. The silver base is tufa cast with hand stamped decoration and for intense blue natural Nevada turquoise cabochons. Aside from the rectanfular opening with center bar for the tongue, there are eight (8) more "cut outs". When silver is poured to fix such an intricate pattern, it will have a tendency to cool in the narrow passages and not fill the entire space. This artist's skills made up for a lack of technology. The style of this detailed buckle is Zuni. With the high grade turquoise and interesting design this treasure from the 1930's American Southwest does any fashionable waist proud. |
|---|---|
| About the Artist | (Circa 1881-1944, Zuni) His youngest sister was the mother of Dan Simplicio. This legendary jeweler was known for his inventive designs working primarily with ingot silver. Juan was Governor of Zuni Pueblo between 1909 and 1911. |
| Culture | American Indian, Navajo, Zuni |
| Medium | Sterling silver cast from tufa stone carving. Hand finished and decorated silver using hand-carved stamps. Tongue of buckle is round wire drawn from ingot. Sheet for the four bezels is mill-rolled hand cut and fabricated. |
| Troy ounces | .43 troy ounces |
| Size | 2 7/8" length X 2 3/16" width |
| Signed | Not marked |
| Date of creation | Circa 1920's |
| Condition | Excellent |
| Turquoise | Four (4) natural intense blue turquoise cabochons of void free-sorm shape with pronounced domes. The stones measure from 11/16" length X 7/16" width to 7/16" X 7/16". |
| Provenance | Butter |
| Gram weight | 13.4 grams |