Large ROBERT (BOB) LOMADAPKI HOPI BELT BUCKLE Abstract Wave Sterling Silver

Traditional Hopi Overlay Technique Belt Buckle. 3.0" X 2.1". Will accept a belt of up to 1.4. 54.0 grams = 1.72 Troy ounces.

This Buckle was made by a talented Hopi artist. It is not Hallmarked on the reverse, and It is also not stamped "Sterling", but it is guaranteed to be authentic and Sterling Silver. Apparently, he sometimes signs his work with an etched mark. Bob Lomadakapki was born into the Fox Clan and resided in Hotevilla, Third Mesa. He went to Northern Arizona University and first started producing jewelry in 1963.

In 2008, he was named an "Arizona Living Treasure" and has been shown in "Arizona Highways Magazine". He has won awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market, and seems to have quite a following with collectors.

This buckle is very similar to jewelry that Lomadapki had featured in "Arizona Highways", "American Indian Jewelry" (below), and numerous other publications. In the world of Native Jewelry, this design is unmistakably his.

As I say that, there is a recognition that I have not seen the same design from him twice. What I do see is the same spirit in each design. I love modern and contemporary art and used to collect it. I'd love to lean more about what forces inspired this..

This buckle is in excellent condition. There are no cracks, dents, or scratches, etc. In the Buckle's S terling Silver. Hopi Silver and "Overlay Technique". In the book HOPI SILVER... Referenced below, Margaret Wright describes how Hopi silver is made and the post WWII history of its development in particular. She describes the 6 main steps in the creation of Hopi jewelry as we have come to know it. "A tracing design; b sawing design; c soldering design to backing; d texturing background; e filing to remove discoloration; f buffing". I like her simple description comparing "overlay" to making cookie dough and using a cookie cutter to cut out stars, and then placing one layer of the dough with the cutouts on top of another (without cutouts) and then baking them.

This Hopi Buckle was made using the "Overlay" technique, where two sheets of Sterling Silver are fused together. This enabled the artist to create the appearance that the surface had been carved out with the wonderful design that you see in the pictures. You may want to take a look at the textured "Matt" or background area. For half a century or so, this has almost always been decorated in this subtle way by Hopi artists. I think that this provides an insight into the personality of the artist..

It is simple and elegant. I love Belt Buckles, but have mostly traded and collected Navajo and Zuni Jewelry over the years. So, I'm a bit "out of my element" and have just done the best that I can on researching these buckles. Compact assemblage of Hopi buckles. As the Navajo say, "Walk in Beauty".

I thank You and look forward to sharing a good experience! "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf Page 220. "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: M-Z" Page. "HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - Page 105.

THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER - Billie Hougart Page 204. "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". "HOPI SILVER THE HISTORY AND HALLMARKS OF HOPI SILVERMAKING" Margaret Wright - Pages.

40-42, 50-54 (general observations about the history of techniques and Hopi Guild formation). The item "Large ROBERT (BOB) LOMADAPKI HOPI BELT BUCKLE Abstract Wave Sterling Silver" is in sale since Saturday, May 2, 2020. This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Native American\Other Native American Jewelry"." and is located in Tucson, Arizona. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay, Ukraine, Cayman islands.

Featured Refinements: Native American Belt Buckle
Modified Item: No
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Ethnic Origin: Hopi
Metal Purity: .925
Artisan: Robert Lomadapki
Main Stone: No Stone
Metal: Sterling Silver
Jewelry Type: Belt Buckles
Tribal Affiliation: Hopi