RARE VINTAGE HOPI VICTOR COOCHWYTEWA SILVER BUCKLE AND LEATHER BELT

Description

RARE VINTAGE HOPI VICTOR COOCHWYTEWA SILVER BUCKLE.
Victor Coochwytewa began creating exceptional overlay work in 1940, learning from Paul Saufkie.
Coochwytewa is credited with the now common practice of texturing the base plate of silver.
His work continually evolved and he learned diamond setting. His work earned many prestigious awards: the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum, and the Gallup Inter-Tribal award.
Coochwytewa was named an Arizona Indian Living Treasure in 1994.
This Purple Heart veteran of WWII returned to jewelry making in 1946 after his discharge.
He was the first hopi silversmith to texture the back plate of his pieces which has become a standard in Hopi jewelry.
Please look at last two photos for stamps one looks like a bird the other like clouds and rain.