@Stracci I just uploaded the info from Hougart’s book for you. Now, back to looking at all this Fabulous jewelry!! Your Mom has great taste in NA jewelry.
@Stracci That’s a nice gift to receive. A part of me wants to say that the silver beads are handmade. Stamped .925/sterling? I’m not convinced it’s turquoise, either, but have not even a guess as to what the stones could be.
How wonderful to receive these from your family! That makes it so special, and what lovely pieces!
I have to head out so I don’t have time to look too closely now, but I knew right away that your thunderbirds were by Bobby and Corraine Shack. I love their stuff, and I have a hummingbird ring by them.
The DD hallmark is interesting. I have a buckle from my mom with that mark on it, and I always thought it was Donald and Dorothy Clark. Here’s a couple screenshots from my book, and one from the Amerindian site. There are no photos in the book of the Clark’s mark, and I think I always assumed my buckle was by them, because the DD is slightly offset (which is what the site shows). There’s a photo for the Donald Dixon mark with one D, but it says he also used DD. I’ll attach these, and hopefully that’ll give you some place to start.
We have a gorgeous Bobby Shack thunderbird bolo with tortoise shell among the inlay materials, such a recognizable design. I wonder if you’re seeing tortoise in the dark parts? Congrats on this lovely group!
@Stracci !!! Oh my…what fun! You guys with parents that were collectors are so lucky. My parents really didn’t collect anything; too busy on the farm and raising 4 girls!! But we had a fabulous childhood full of animals and running free over the farm. Receiving pieces from parents makes them so special. Merry Christmas to you🎄
I love it, and it looks fabulous on you. You know that I completely understand the specialness of having and wearing your dad’s buckle. I’m so sorry you lost your dad, but remember good things about him every time you wear it!
I finally have a Hougart’s (many thanks to a kind friend) but I couldn’t find your mark with a quick look. There are some AM hallmarks, but none that look like this (Angeline Miller, Alvin Monte have just an AM with no punctuation).
On an aside, I love black jeans, and am planning to wear some today when I go do some last minute Christmas shopping; maybe I should wear a belt…
Beautiful buckle @Stracci! It’s made even more special that it was your fathers. I know your pain, and you’re in my thoughts. Your father’s memory lives through you, especially when you’re wearing his buckle and can share its stories with others.
Personally, I think you have it in you…say, any idea if that cast concho belt with the black leather is still available at one of your favorite haunts?
You’ve got my vote, Zia!…I’d say at least one belt.
I’m so sorry to hear that your Dad has passed. Please accept my condolences. That’s a wonderful & special belt buckle with endearing memories of your Dad. You wear it well.
Very sorry for your loss, Stracci. As it is with most Native American belt buckle designs, they look good on a man or a woman. This one is a perfect example.