Effie Calavaza Belt Buckle

This authentic original belt buckle by Effie Calavaza, Zuni Pueblo, features Effie's signature design of snakes wrapped around and through natural turquoise cabochons. Each stone is set in a hand crafted sterling silver bezel and accented with silver drops. The snakes have inlay turquoise eyes, their bodies are decorated with fine stamp work and the tails are ridged to represent rattles. Snakes represent renewal, transformation, and rebirth in Zuni tradition. This is a highly collectable original Effie piece that should not be passed by.

Effie Calavaza's jewelry is some of the most iconic and collectable jewelry that ever came out of Zuni Pueblo. Born in 1927 Effie learned her craft from her late husband Juan Calavaza. The two worked together until Juan's death in 1970. After her husband's passing, Effie continued to make jewelry featuring her signature snake designs and large stones. Effie excelled in sand casting silver and became well known for her high quality work. Her work became instantly recognizable but also highly copied. In an effort to protect her own designs and intellectual property, and that of other Native artists, Effie took the issue all the way to the Supreme Court in a landmark case. The case significantly strengthened IP rights for Native artists and helped to curtail the import of fake Native American jewelry. Effie passed away in 2019, leaving behind a legacy that includes her daughters and granddaughters who now own the rights to Effie's hallmark and classic snake designs.

L: 3 ¼”; H: 2 ⅜”