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Tufa Cast Belt Buckle

Navajo

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About The Artwork

Tufa cast sterling silver is done by pouring molten silver into a carved design or depression done in tufa stone. Tufa is a very soft, chalk-like material that only a few pieces can be produced using the same carving, as heat eventually cracks the stone. Each silver item must then be individually hand finished using files, sandpaper and a polishing wheel. This is a very time consuming and exhausting process--made all the more difficult with enclosed openings, like the ones in this handsome piece.

About The Artist

The Navajo were the first of the Native Americans of the Southwest to learn silversmithing from the Spanish. Most Navajo jewelry emphasizes silver, with turquoise stones used as an accent. Some pieces are cast in sand or tufa molds, while others are hammered, using a male stamp and a female die.

Other Works By Artist:

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