Silver Oval Overlay Style Belt Buckle [SOLD]

Abraham Begay's silverwork resembles overlay style practiced by Hopi craftsmen but it appears that rather than forming from two individual sheets of silver and overlaying one over the other, Begay seems to carve away silver to reveal a deeper layer, perhaps with a Dremmel tool.  

That is speculation as the technique could possibly take a different turn.  This Silver Oval Overlay Style Belt Buckle has a lovely oval shape and displays a distinctive design similar to Hopi pottery designs. 

Navajo Nation artist Abraham Begay (1953-) has participated in Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Indian Pueblo Arts & Crafts Show, and the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial at Gallup, New Mexico.  He lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, and operates his own gallery.  His work has been feature in American Indian Art Magazine and Indian Trader newspaper. 

Condition: very good condition with minor scratches from use which could be buffed out.

Provenance: from the estate of a client who amassed a collection of 40 belt buckles, this one purchased in 1993

Recommended Reading: American Indian Jewelry I – 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf