Signed TOMMY SINGER Sterling Silver BELT BUCKLE Navajo END OF THE TRAIL Thomas

Solid Sterling Silver with Sterling Overlay. 2.9 X 2.35. Will accept a belt of up to 1.20. 41.8 grams = 1.34 Troy ounces. Belt Buckle was made by noted Navajo silversmith Tommy Singer.

It is signed with a "THOMAS SINGER STERLING" Hallmark on the back of the buckle near the center. It is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver and authentic. Based on the Hallmark, my guess is that he made it in about 20-30 years ago. This is one of his many smith marks. According to Barton Wright in "Hallmarks of the Southwest" (page 156), he has used used ten or so.

This buckle has a "End of the Trail" design featuring an Indian, his horse, and mountains and clouds in a deserted. You can read about the subject matter and look up the history of the sculpture that inspired it. It was made later in his career of over half a century of making remarkable Navajo Indian Jewelry. Is a sculpture made by James Earle Frazier in Wisconsin.

Man hanging limp as his weary horse comes to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The statue is a commentary on the damage Euro-American settlement inflicted upon Native Americans. The main figure embodies the suffering and exhaustion of people driven from their native lands. I've seen and have traded lots of his work and have always enjoyed the experience. Several years ago I traded a similar rectangular buckle made by Tommy Singer.

It is a popular theme with Native artists... Tommy was a pioneer in several areas of Native American Indian jewelry. He is famous worldwide for his development of the "Chip Inlay" technique as demonstrated in the Buckle. As a Navajo artist, he is an early adopter and remains a recognized expert in the silver smithing technique of Silver Overlay.

As a member of the now popular Native American Church, the Peyote Bird and rituals involving it, became a popular theme in his early creations. This one is a great example of his work. I personally own several Tommy Singer belt buckles for my personal enjoyment and to wear. I love the variety of techniques and skills that were demonstrated in the making of this. If you feel the same magic, read on..

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.

Since Tommy Singer's early career in the 1960's, he has worked in Silver Overlay, which was not typical for a Navajo artist at the time. He has won countless awards and is considered a master. This very fine example of his innovative early work. Tommy Singer was born in 1940.

He passed away in the Spring of 2014. He was often seen at Indian Fairs, Gem Shows, visiting stores in Gallup and all around Indian Country. His likeness and several of his creations are pictured in "American Indian Jewelry 1" by Gregory Schaaf (pages 291-292). There are numerous articles and features about him in countless books and other publications. He is widely collected and his work appears in museums from The Peabody Museum at Harvard to The University of Colorado. Here is what Tommy Singer had to say when interviewed, I try hard to make different styles and designs of my jewelry... Every piece is made with the meanings from my traditional ways, my father was a silversmith. He taught me to continue this trade.

It was my father's dream that I learn to silversmith, so that I continue his belief. As the Navajo say, Walk in beauty! I thank You and look forward to sharing a good experience! "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - pages - 291-292. "AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY III: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf - pages 264-265.

"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - page - 156. "THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 317. The item "Signed TOMMY SINGER Sterling Silver BELT BUCKLE Navajo END OF THE TRAIL Thomas" is in sale since Thursday, November 11, 2021.

This item is in the category "Jewelry & Watches\Ethnic, Regional & Tribal\Necklaces & Pendants"." 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, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Uruguay.

Shape: Oval
Handmade: Yes
Country of Origin: Navajo Nation
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Base Metal: Sterling Silver
Modified Item: No
Signed?: Signed
Featured Refinements: Native American Belt Buckle
Artisan: Tommy Singer
Jewelry Type: Belt Buckles
Type: Belt Buckle
Vintage: Yes
Metal Purity: .925
Signed: Yes
Main Stone: No Stone
Brand: Tommy Singer
Metal: Silver
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
Ethnic & Regional Style: Native American