EFFIE C CALAVAZA Zuni BUCKLE Sterling Silver 4 TURQUOISE 3 CORAL SNAKE Old Heavy

Description

Effie Calavaza Zuni Sterling Silver Belt Buckle
Snake (with both Turquoise Eyes)
4 Kingman Mine
Turquoise cabochons
3 Red Coral
Dimensions
3.4" X 2.3"
will accept a belt of up to 1.4"
87.2 grams =  2.5 Troy ounces
(all measurement are approximate)
"Effie" Buckle
This wonderful Belt Buckle was made by the famous Effie Calavaza (b. 1928) who started producing jewelry in the 1950's and is perhaps the most famous living Zuni Artist. At 92+ years old, she is also one of the oldest active Zuni artists...Her work is featured in many high end galleries and collections. It can also be found in all the major Native Jewelry catalogs and reference books. A few are listed below. This is stamped with her correct hallmark "EFFIE C. ZUNI" on the reverse, and it is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver and authentic. It looks lightly used, and also quite Old. I think this one may date from the early 1970's based on the design of the stampwork around the perimeter. I have found no defects like cracked or loose stones, noticeable scratches, etc. I believe you will be pleased!
Effie makes jewelry that features snakes wrapped around Turquoise and Coral cabochons. If this was Navajo, it would be very rare to find a snake depicted in any art. The Zuni, like the Hopi, have a tradition of "dry farming" corn, squash, and beans. The snakes eat the rodents that in turn would eat the crops...so the snakes are very good! This Buckle is individually cast from Sterling Silver by Effie. This is a much more laborious process of fabricating than by making jewelry from "stock" parts of silver like sheet or wire. Over the years, a number of people have tried to copy her design and she has beat them in the courts. This is hand-cast by Effie Calavaza and is the real deal!
This amazing Buckle is full of character and will be recognized by many people. Because it is one of her "Older" pieces, it has lots of patina. Many collectors find the early Effie Bolos and Buckles more desirable than the new and "shiny ones". To each his own...People who know will
compliment you and your taste in Zuni Jewelry.
Tufa Casting
As you may already know Tufa Casting is a very laborious and even dangerous process of making silver jewelry that was developed late in the 19th century by the Navajo. It is similar to traditional sand casting but uses ancient compressed volcanic ash (Tufa) as the mold in which hot molten Silver is poured. Because of thermal shock it is typical that the Tufa mold can only be used once. After the piece is cooled, the "real work" of filing and polishing begins. Because of the factors mentioned, Native American Tufa Cast Jewelry is relatively rare and becoming more so all the time. The technique lends a charm to anything produced and is appreciated by knowledgeable collectors of Native Jewelry.
In the 1959 publication "Indian Silverwork Of The Southwest, Illustrated" author Harry P Mera has provided us with the definitive guide to the origins, history, and techniques used by Native American jewelers. He tells us, "...Later on, when, through experience, easily worked fine-grained stones were selected (those capable of retaining clean cut impressions) ornamental casting finally came into its own. Materials of this sort, because of their friability, are apt to break down under the heat to which they are subjected so that, at best, a very limited number of castings could be made from and average mold, often, only one. After an object is cast, a great deal of work with files and other abrasives is required to obtain a satisfactory finish." Indeed, the "clean up" and finishing of the crude Sterling Silver article after is it liberated from the Tufa mold is an enormous and messy task!
Thanks!
Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...
Recommended Reference Books - This artist is referenced if there is a page # shown below
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - page 102
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf- pages 127
"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - page 42-43
"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 79
"ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman - page 37
"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3"- Barbara & Ed Bell- Volume 2-page 22
Inventory reference Buckle 406