This beautiful buckle was hand crafted by Bobby and Corraine Shack. They have been
making jewelry together for many years and are best known for their mosaic inlay Thunderbirds and
hummingbirds that are now coveted by collectors. Their work is published in Zuni: The Art and The People, Vol. 2, by Barbara and Ed Bell, 1975.
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This beautiful Thunderbird buckle features fine, hand tooled silver work with precisely set inlay of coral, yellow shell, jet, abalone shell and natural Blue Gem turquoise. Hallmarked on the back of the piece, with their full names. The buckle measures 3" long by 2" wide.
The Zuni are known for their fine silversmithing, which began in the 1870's after learning fundamental techniques from the Navajo. Lanyade was the first Zuni silversmith, who learned the art from Atsidi Chon, a Navajo smith. By 1880, Zuni jewelers already set turquoise in silver. Today jewelry making thrives as an art form in at the Zuni Pueblo. Many Zuni have become master silversmiths and have perfected the skill of stone inlay, channel inlay, needlepoint and petit point. They found that by using small pieces of stone they were able to create intricate designs and unique patterns. Their style of work is very tedious and time consuming.
Unfortunately many of the Zuni jewelry designs have been reproduced in Asia and are being sold in the U.S. as authentic Zuni jewelry. Buy from reputable dealers and ask for a written guarantee that the piece is American Zuni made.
