small Dan Simplicio Zuni Cast BELT BUCKLE Sterling Silver w/9 Turquoise & Leaves

Description

Zuni Sterling Silver Belt Buckle
Tufa Cast!
9 Kingman Mine Turquoise
Dimensions
2.3" X 1.32"
will accept a belt of up to .98"
50.2 grams = 1.61 Troy ounce
(all measurement are approximate)
Old Tufa Cast Zuni Belt Buckle
This wonderful Belt Buckle was made by a talented Zuni artist. It may have been made by  Dan Simplicio in the 1950's-1960's. I am not certain in an attribution on this one, you be the judge. I'm a bit thrown by the style of the two leaves. The file work, bezels, and water drop stamps all look consistent with his work. He was born in 1917 and began producing jewelry in the early 1950's. He is perhaps most famous for his Cast pieces and the innovative use Turquoise Nuggets and Leaf Designs. It is said that the floral elements were introduced after his exposure to classic European art while he was stationed there during WWII. The Simplicio family continues to give us masterful artists and have work that is featured in many high end galleries and collections. It can also be found in the major Native Jewelry catalogs and reference books. A few are listed below.
Description
This Belt Buckle was made by a master Zuni Silversmith! It believe it may have been made by Dan Simplicio due to its age, distinctive style, and the artistry of design and construction. The bezel style used with the flat topped saw tooth configuration wrapped over the sides of the Turquoise cabochons, as well as the stamped water drops were typical of his work. So is the use of a wire bracket for attaching the belt strap. As far as Belt Buckles go, it is not large and would lend itself nicely to more formal and business occasions than would a larger buckle.
It seems that most of the jewelry made by Dan Simplicio was not signed. In fact most of the Native jewelry of this time frame is not. You may notice that this has some the jewelry design elements that he introduced or made popular like his stamped water drops and bezel work.
The Buckle is made from a base that was cast in Sterling Silver from Tufa and then Dan Simplicio (or perhaps another Zuni artist) built up the foundation with his signature water drops that he stamped quite in a high relief. The rounded saw tooth bezels are part of the action on this buckle! The 9 Turquoise look like natural stones and have a chunky character to them.
Simplicio taught Jaun Calavaza (Effie's late husband) and his son Mike to make jewelry. I own a number of their pieces in my own collection and don't believe that this was made be anyone but Dan Simplicio.  It is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver. I am not guaranteeing that it was made by Dan Simplicio. I have found no defects in the Sterling Silver. The Turquoise is a medium Blue and has contrasting dark matrix.  Everything is tight in their bezels. The buckle has the warm tarnish patina of half a century of kind ownership. This is a wonderful compact example of the skills of a Zuni Master...I believe you will be pleased!
Thanks!
Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...
Recomended Reference Books - This artist is referenced if there is a page # shown below
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - page 290-291
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf
"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - page 156
"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 316
"ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman
***"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3"- Barbara & Ed Bell
**'KNIFEWING AND RAINBOW MAN IN ZUNI JEWELRY" - Toshi Sei - pages 9, 12, 48, 96
Reference only Buckle A1