Sterling Silver Modernist Belt Buckle with Single Turquoise Gemstone [SOLD]

C4504-16-buckle.jpg

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Julian Lovato, Kewa Jeweler
  • Category: Belts and Buckles
  • Origin: KEWA, Santo Domingo Pueblo
  • Medium: Sterling Silver and Turquoise
  • Size: 2 ¼” x 3”
    Belt size: 1 ½” wide
  • Item # C4504.16
  • SOLD

A single high quality turquoise gemstone is the focal point of this modernist sterling silver belt buckle.  Julian Lovato’s skill in incorporating traditional Native forms with elegant modern designs placed him in the ranks of the finest Native American jewelry designers of the twentieth century. Lovato utilized a method he described as “raised dimensional jewelry design”. In this buckle he juxtaposed a high-quality turquoise gemstone set in a shadowbox setting, familiar to Native artists, onto an elegant designed silver framework reminiscent of modern Danish design. The result is one of both elegance and tradition. 

The original collector of this buckle kept detailed information about each piece he collected. Along with the date of purchase he also collected information about the artist. This piece was purchased in 1987 and the following is from a biography included in his records. 

Julian Lovato (1922-2018) artist signature.“Julian Lovato, now in his mid-50s, has worked as a jeweler since he was 13 years old. At his father’s death, he began cutting stones for mass-produced Indian jewelry at Maisel’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Later, he spent several years with a similar operation in Kansas City. In 1948, Julian began his long association with the internationally distinguished Italian silversmith Frank Patania. Before Frank Patania died in 1968, he bequeathed his own hallmark, the Thunderbird, to Julian who proudly carries on the tradition of excellence in design, materials and workmanship.” 

This buckle is signed J. LOVATO STERLING IHM with the Thunderbird logo.  IHM stands for Indian Hand Made.


Condition: the modernist belt buckle is in excellent condition with minor scratches in the silver from having been worn. 

Provenance:  this Sterling Silver Modernist Belt Buckle with Single Turquoise Gemstone is from the estate of an Albuquerque couple who were avid collectors of Native American arts and crafts.

Recommended Reading: Contemporary Southwestern Jewelry by Diana Pardue

Relative Links: KEWA, Santo Domingo PuebloSouthwest Indian JewelryJulian Lovato

Back of the buckle.

Julian Lovato, Kewa Jeweler
  • Category: Belts and Buckles
  • Origin: KEWA, Santo Domingo Pueblo
  • Medium: Sterling Silver and Turquoise
  • Size: 2 ¼” x 3”
    Belt size: 1 ½” wide
  • Item # C4504.16
  • SOLD

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