Sterling Silver Hopi Overlay Belt Buckle [SOLD]

Wallie Sekayumptewa was an early innovator in silver overlay technology at the Hopi Guild in the late 1940s.  The Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild was formed in 1947, after World War II, when returning Hopi servicemen were trained at a silversmithing school founded under the G.I. bill.  The late Paul Saufkie, Sr. was the technical instructor and the late Fred Kabotie, noted Hopi artist and designer, taught design. Although many techniques of silver work were used, the overlay style gradually emerged as the dominate style. This simple, unique, elegant jewelry is now considered essentially the Hopi style of jewelry.

Sekayumptewa originally made jewelry with turquoise but switched to the overlay technique when the Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild was established (1947). This belt buckle is an excellent example of his fine work.  It was designed to accommodate a belt of ¾-inch width.

Reference:  The Little Book of Marks on Southwestern Silver, Silversmiths, Designers, Guilds and Traders by Bille Hougart

Recommended Reading:  The Beauty of Hopi Jewelry by Theda Bassman. 

Condition: very good condition with minor scratches to surface

Provenance: from a gentleman from Colorado