Description: NATIVE AMERICAN NAVAJO STERLING SILVER & TURQUOISE BUCKLE BY GARY CUSTER In the mid 1800s, Navajo silversmiths started to use sand casting as one of their silversmithing techniques. Today, silversmiths still use this technique by carving a design in tufa stone (a porous limestone) and then placing another stone against it. The two pieces are fastened together and molten silver is poured in. Once it has cooled, the artist takes the piece out and finishes it. Gary Custer made this exquisite buckle in this manner. Fits a 1 1/2” belt. (Belt not included) Weighs 66 grams. Signed 2” wide x 3 3/16” long Artist card included The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts). Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work. Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work. Native American Jewelry
Price: 432 USD
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
End Time: 2023-12-13T01:08:09.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: 10%
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Buckle
Main Stone Color: Turquoise
Customized: No
Color: Multicolor
Vintage: Yes
Signed: Yes
Brand: Hand Made
Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American
Handmade: Yes
Country/Region of Manufacture: America
Base Metal: Sterling Silver
Antique: No
Metal Purity: 925
Main Stone: TURQUOISE
Wholesale: No
Set Includes: Buckle
Metal: Sterling Silver
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo