Sterling Silver and Scrimshaw Belt Buckle [SOLD]

The belt buckle was commissioned in 1977 through a gallery in Albuquerque Old Town which had artists specializing in silver and scrimshaw.  The silverwork was done by Navajo artist Alfred Platero and the scrimshaw by Thomas E. Weis, both working for the gallery.

According to the certificate of authenticity, all the ivory used is guaranteed not to be from poached or endangered species and it is mostly Fossilized Walrus or Mastodon.

The buckle features participants from the Zuni Shalako ceremony in scrimshaw technique.  The buckle features the Shalako, Mudhead and Koshare in full view.  The scrimshaw stone in the buckle is signed T.Weiss 77.  The silver piece is signed with the initials of Alfred Platero (AĿPL) and the identifying inventory number of the scrimshaw piece.

Condition: very good condition with no visible damage

Provenance: commissioned by Adobe Gallery in 1977, which has retained ownership since.