HUGE! 3.5+oz.TOM BAHE Navajo BELT BUCKLE "Rodeo Bull Rider" STERLING SILVER!

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Tom Bahe - Navajo (12/10/25 - 4/24/09) "The Rodeo Bull Rider" This has been worn without engraving...you may engrave it if you desire Sterling Silver - Silver Overlay - Belt Buckle 3.86" X 2.8" will accept a belt up to 1.4" wide 3.59 Troy Ounces = 111.8 grams Description This is wonderful Belt Buckle was made by noted Navajo silversmith Tom Bahe. It is signed with the correct stamped signature hallmark "TOM BAHE" on the back of the buckle. He started using his full name as a hallmark in 1978, so this may date from that period. It is not stamped "Sterling", but it is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver. There is the ability to use a belt of up to 1.4" with this buckle. The Silver Overlay is typical of Tom's excellent work that is so well followed by collectors. This has an extreemly high relief Sterling Silver Olverlay of several individual pieces (including the rope around the edge) that he must have individually molded using the Tufa Sandsone or Lost Wax Technique. It is very heavy and very thick! At 3.86' X 2.8", it is very large and certainly it is the second most substantial Tom Bahe buckle that I have seen or traded. As luck would have it, I have a another similar sized Tom Bahe Rodeo Buckle for sale on Ebay right now. As far as conditon goes, it is in very good condition and also very tarnished! I think you will be pleased. Consider this an opportunity to own wonderful very substantial Tom Bahe Sterling Silver Buckle. As a Navajo artist, he is an expert in the silver smithing technique of "Silver Overlay". This Buckle is an outstanding example of that technique! This is a buckle that you can wear for many occasions and that will be recognized by folks that know their Native Jewelry. Read on... Silver Overlay In the 1930's, the University of Northern Arizona helped Hopi silversmiths develop a unique style and technique to differentiate themselves from the Navajos. It involves bonding of two formerly distinct sheets of Sterling Silver and is known as Silver Overlay. For decades, the Hopi have excelled at this and to some it defines the "Hopi Style." Tom Bahe and his family of noteworthy artists have used this technique for decades. Tom has won awards and is considered as being quite profficient. He is also somewhat famous for having been a smith at Atkinson Trading Company. He worked in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson (where I live) and is highly regarded as an artist and is fondly missed by those that knew him. When you take a look at the pictures, please inspect the buckle carefully for the fine work in both design and execution. This very fine and iconic example of Tom Bahe's masterful work. As the Navajo say, "Walk in beauty!" I will provide free shipping in the USA with full insurance at no cost to you. I will try to ship by the next business day. In the event that you live outside of the United States, I will be very happy to do business with you! Please, email me with your address and I will let you know the actual cost of shipping and insurance and I will credit you with the amount that it would cost me to send it to you insured in the USA. You are welcome to pick it up if you live near Tucson, Arizona or I can deliver it to you locally at no cost to you. I look forward to doing business with you, Thank You! Recomended Reference Books "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - page 66 "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf "HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright "THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 42 "ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman "ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3" - Barbara & Ed Bell- Volume "KNIFEWING AND RAINBOW MAN IN ZUNI JEWELRY" read more

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