Sterling Silver Buckle with Bear and Sun Design [SOLD]

Navajo tribal member Joe Willeto has been actively silversmithing since 1966.  He has been a smith for Bilagaanas Company in Albuquerque since graduating from Albuquerque High School.  He is a consistent award winner at the New Mexico State Fair, garnering 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd awards.

The buckle features a stylized bear with a sun face superimposed on the bear.  Sun rays fan out from the bear in all four directions.  The buckle is stamped sterling and with the full name Joe Willeto and a feather hallmark.

Condition: excellent condition with minor scratches as expected

Provenance: from the estate of a long-time Adobe Gallery client who had a collection of 40 belt buckles.  This one was purchased in 1991 at the Santa Monica Show, California.

Biographical Reference: American Indian Jewelry III: M-Z, 2,100 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf