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Juan Calavaza, Zuni - Sterling Silver
Turquoise Snake Buckle with Belt
HK Item #BU216

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Authentic Vintage Native American sterling silver and turquoise snake buckle with belt by Zuni silversmith Juan Calavaza

size
3 1/2" x 2 3/8"
1 1/8" wide belt with holes for 32" to 35" waist.
materials
sterling silver, read about silver;
turquoise, read about stones;
leather belt
condition
Vintage, Pre-owned, stones firmly set in hand-cut bezels; one cracked stone is stable; dark patina
hallmarks
stamped: JC
artist
Juan Calavaza, Zuni (1910s - 1970)

Authentic Vintage Native American sterling silver and turquoise snake buckle with belt by Zuni silversmith Juan Calavaza

Authentic Vintage Native American sterling silver and turquoise snake buckle with belt by Zuni silversmith Juan Calavaza

Embossed leather belt stamped "38" with holes for 32" to 35" waist.

See More Buckles

Vintage Jewelry

Juan Calavaza, Zuni
Vintage Turquoise Snake Buckle
with Belt

BU216 - $375
(ONLY ONE AVAILABLE)

    

Authentic Vintage Native American sterling silver and turquoise snake buckle with belt by Zuni silversmith Juan Calavaza

One cracked stone, firmly set.

Authentic Vintage Native American sterling silver and turquoise snake buckle with belt by Zuni silversmith Juan Calavaza

Juan Calavaza

Juan Calavaza (1910s - 1970) was a Zuni silversmith who specialized in snake motifs in sand-cast sterling silver jewelry including cuff bracelets, buckles, and bolos. His work often featured Morenci turquoise, coral, and raised serpents with pointed heads. Juan taught his wife, Effie Calavaza, who became renowned for her snake jewelry.

Indian Snake Symbolism

For some Native American tribes the snake represents abundant rainfall and fertility and is depicted as as lightning or a lightning arrow. Some tribes use the snake as a healing image or for swiftness in battle. The snake does not symbolize anything negative or treacherous. Snakes are rarely used in Navajo jewelry but they are often seen in Zuni jewelry.

We here in Colorado live with snakes - they are part of the landscape and ecosystem. Since our climate is semi-arid, we welcome the abundant rainfall the snake might bring.

About Silver

100% solid silver won't tarnish but it is too soft to use for making jewelry - it could easily be scratched, dented and bent. Sterling silver has a small amount of one or more other metals usually copper, added to the silver. To be called sterling silver, the alloy must contain at least 92.5% pure silver. Sterling silver alloy is harder than pure silver but the added metals also can cause discoloration or tarnish.

Read more about silver.

ABOUT TURQUOISE

Turquoise is associated with the sky, and bringing sky energy to earth. It is known as a master healer stone as it is believed to help speed the healing process. It is also thought that turquoise can help promote honest and clear communication from the heart.
Turquoise comes in all shades of blue, to blue-green and it is the natural variations in turquoise that make it appealing. The color of turquoise in American Indian jewelry ranges from brownish green to bright blue. Found in veins sandwiched in between layers of mother rock, turquoise can show some of the influence of the mother rock in its matrix or veining. The matrix colors range from blue to golden brown to black and sometimes with golden flecks. Many people prefer turquoise with matrix over clear stones. Read more about stones.

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