Hi all! I’ve found this buckle that I just LOVE. It’s located in Sedona, and hope to go look at it in person sooner than later. It’s 4”x3” and weighs 5.2oz
The owner says the hallmark is Atkinson Trading Post, and while it does look very similar to the stamp I’ve seen elsewhere, this one looks like seaparate cuts with a tool to look like the ATP stamp. What are your thoughts?
Very much so. That’s exactly what you’re looking at, @BlytheEcho. This doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t from the Atkinsons though. This could have been added by a silversmith who didn’t have immediate access to the official company stamp. Texturing on the back, and rolled rounded edges also look more like a lost wax cast down with a tumbled pre-finish, than a sand cast piece finished completely by hand.
Looks like there’s another hallmark on the back. Can you provide a closeup?
Nice buckle @BlytheEcho!
I see what appears to be “NAVAJO”, at the “top” center but I will second @mmrogers for a clear shot of this area as well.
I had to take a screenshot of what was available and edit it. It does appear to be “NAVAJO”
Thank you, @mmrogers and @Ravenscry for your quick replies!
Ahh, I obviously ignored the fact that you mentioned it’s located in Sedona, had I been using my head I’d have done the same as you.
It certainly looks to be “NAVAJO” with “sterling”.
There is a pendant in this post that appears to be from Atkinson…
@Ravenscry thank you.
The hallmark that @Steve shared is so very similar, I wonder if it isn’t the correct hallmark/artist.
Thank you all for your input!
After searching about for Alvin Thompson’s work (thank you @Steve), I found multiple examples of his hallmark, but this is the best quality image, from Medicine Man Gallery’s website. From this, I think the buckle is Mr. Thompson’s work, and not from ATP. Thoughts? Biographies say he specialized in traditional sandcast technique.
Thank you all for being so helpful and informative!
From a technical point of view, from the obvious inclusions and characteristic porosity present in this pendant, it appears to be lost wax cast.
Lost wax casting is an interesting gray area in terms of identifying something as native made, or ‘non-native’ as it reproduces whatever stamps or marks are in the original pieces from which the molds are made, and may or may not convey accurate information as to whether the casting was done by the organization represented by the hallmarks, or whether the person doing the casting is or isn’t a tribal member of the group identified with the hallmarks reproduced in the casting process.
In a case like this, I would definitely ask for provenance, and if that were not forthcoming, would treat any claims of native origin as non-authentic.
@mmrogers thank you the insight. I understand what you’re saying. Thank you.
I will not purchase without further information and provenance. The owner is slow to respond, and as I mentioned, getting up to Sedona is proving difficult. But I will see if he can provide provenance. No worries, there are always other buckles!
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not knocking the buckle at all @BlytheEcho, it’s absolutely beautiful, and well made. At 5.1 ounces I have to wonder what it’s selling for? I think if I were looking at it, I’d be focused on value for money.
No, I don’t think that at all! I feel like you’re sharing your knowledge and helping me understand what I’m looking at. I truly appreciate it.
Listed at $460. And yes, I’ve seen lighter weight buckles (but with definite hallmarks/provenance) priced for more and less. I’ve just been going back and forth about it in my head. I really want to see it in person first, but it might be worth the purchase without that.
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Here’s how it breaks down from a makers perspective. Current market value for casting grain, $1 per gram X 151 grams = $151.00. Going market price for casting is $1 a gram so another $151, Plus findings and silversmithing cost $5, add to that roughly $20 in processing and finishing costs including consumables and you have a net current replacement value at production cost of $327.00, sales price less total production costs = retailer margin of $133.
This is actually slightly below wholesale at current market pricing for materials, casting costs, and labor. Seems like a decent deal.
Great cost analysis @mmrogers. In support of his below wholesale determination I refer to the retail “rule of threes” when pricing retail for a shop.
1/3 = cost
1/3 = overhead
1/3 = profit
Therefore, the buckle should have a retail shop price around $980
$327 profit -30% (taxes) = $229. That is all the maker will end up with in their pocket.
Here’s a similar buckle that’s got some age on it…
To aid in @TAH’s helping hand, at the top of this page, there is a similar buckle to your desired one, with a bit of patina present.
Thanks @TAH and @Ravenscry for finding other lovely buckles
