This vintage Zuni Old Pawn sterling silver belt buckle is a small but mighty treasure of Native/Southwestern artistry, carrying with it the spirit of the desert, the wisdom of the Zuni Pueblo, and the hands of a master craftsman—Bennie Bowekaty.

RARE FIND!! This vintage Zuni Old Pawn sterling silver belt buckle is a small but mighty treasure of Native/Southwestern artistry, carrying with it the spirit of the desert, the wisdom of the Zuni Pueblo, and the hands of a master craftsman—Bennie Bowekaty.

Imagine this: deep in the heart of the American Southwest, where red rock mesas kiss the endless sky, a Zuni silversmith sits at his workbench, meticulously crafting this masterpiece. Every hammer strike, every inlaid stone, every etching tells a story—one of tradition, spirituality, and sheer artistry.

The majestic peyote bird, an iconic symbol of the Native American Church (NAC), spreads its wings across the buckle in a stunning display of turquoise and coral chip inlay. The brilliant turquoise forms the bird’s body, while rich red coral accents give it a fiery, dynamic presence.

The surrounding silverwork isn’t just decoration—it’s a celebration of nature and life, with meticulously engraved sunbursts, zigzag rays, and geometric cuts that echo the patterns of ancient Zuni designs.

This isn’t just any vintage buckle. It bears the hallmark "B" and "Sterling", marking it as a creation of Bennie Bowekaty (1925-1980)—one of the finest Zuni silversmiths and lapidary artists of his time. His works were not mass-produced, but rather handcrafted with patience, precision, and passion. Owning a Bowekaty piece is like owning a fragment of Zuni heritage, a slice of craftsmanship that is increasingly rare in today’s world of mass production.
If this buckle could talk, it would say, "I’m worth way more than just silver and stone!"

Current market values for similar Bennie Bowekaty buckles range from R3,000 to R5,500 ($160–$300 USD).

Measurements :The buckle measures 5.1cm x 3.8cm .The buckle with a weight of 18.1grams.