And, some of us, on top of full hay wagons, lol.
I grew up on a farm and we often drove a full hay wagon down the road.
Same here, Steve, but mine was in college (1979-1983). Shotgun in dorm closet (unloaded - didn’t want anyone to get hurt, of course ) and a compound bow hanging on the wall for decor. These were used for squirrel and deer hunting before or after class on properties of local farmers. If I took a squirrel or two, I’d bring them back to the dorm and fry them in the kitchen with potatoes and onions on the side. Oh, I made lots of friends after those hunts.
Patina, your cuff has a great look and is a special piece knowing the backstory. Love the stone and fold-over bezel.
Right. But when you said the door opened I wasn’t sure exactly what door.
And in winter we skinned road kill fox and coons in the dorm room for the hides. They brought good money back then. Locally we sold hides to a fur trader. He also paid us for the carcasses. He had a Chinese restaurant owner in the city that would drive out and buy them. Of course I have NO idea what he did with them.
Aaron, awesome photos and pieces! Of course, my eye went right to that beautiful buckle in the last photo. It looks older than 1970s. Any additional info on it? Also, wondering about that manly coat in the background
Miss Zia, you always come through with some beauties and it’s always a pleasure to see your sandcast buckle. Your Singer cuff is wonderful to this chip inlay fan!
Thanks Bmp! Not Leekya, just Leekya style and heavy, weighing in at 131 grams. Here are Jason’s comments from 2017:
When I saw the picture of the buckle, I immediately thought Robert and Bernice Leekya. Then I saw the hallmark and was confused. I have looked through all the resources I have and have found nothing. I am starting to think it could be a shop mark, but I really have no clue. A business will employ several Native American artisans to make jewelry. The business will have a shop mark, just like a hallmark. Instead of representing an individual artist it will represent the shop.
And here is the hallmark…
@Ziacat, here are some closer photos of the Olson Red Horse cuff. The matrix, on all of the ORH pieces really, is a chocolate brown. I’ll be very interested in everyone’s thoughts on the turquoise.
Thank you @TAH! The buckle was a gift, and I don’t have much info on it, unfortunately. I was told that the dealer mentioned perhaps it was ca. 60’s, but personally I’m not convinced, as you point out, it does appear a bit older. Sneaky little devil must have snuck it’s way into the photo …Here are a few closer shots. (Leave it to us to steer a thread into the direction of buckles
)
The sheepskin shearling coat you point out was made for my grandfather in 1971. A manly coat indeed, it weighs close to eight pounds. But it’s hands down the warmest coat I’ve personally ever worn, it’s really too warm for most Indiana winters.
While a bit too flamboyant for my tastes, this wool coat was gifted to my father on one of the Colorado trips, in 1975 I believe. Reminiscent of the Pendleton and Hudson Bay blankets and coats, this one is a Hercules “Field Master”, sold by Sears & Roebuck.
I have a full length Hudson Bay red and black coat that looks so much like yours! We bought it in Ontario when I was in 9th grade, and I can still wear it - barely.
Beautiful cuff, and all the rest of it. Such detail! I wondered if the stone could be Bisbee, but of course I am only guessing.
Thanks Zia! I’ve worn dad’s wool coat a few times, but have donned grandpa’s shearling coat more often. As I mentioned, the temperature has got to be well below zero to be comfortable in it.
Strictly due to the matrix, I must admit I’ve thought along similar lines. But as we always say, without provenance, it’s anyones guess. Thank you for the thoughts!
This is the sad truth of today’s world.
Turquoise in the cuff looks like Morenci. Cabs in the buckle look like Persian to me, Aaron. Very nice pieces!
Thank you, Mike, for your stone assessment and kind words!
Totally awesome, cuff, buckle, and coats, Aaron!
These have been shared before, but I wanted to add them to this thread.
David Reeves buckle set, 1970s. Bruce Morgan watch tips are contemporary, but the Citizen watch is early '70s, manual wind. Interesting how these two works of silver were made 50 years apart, but are still so complimentary of each other. Leather work was free.
That Olson Red Horse. jewelry is just wonderful, very artistic, balanced and clean. I see you take very good care of it. It could be showcased in a museum.
I see your antique quarter sawn bookcase…do you collect old books too? Do you have any other things you collect? Just curious.
Thanks Tom! Your David Reeves ranger set and Bruce Morgan watch tips make an incredibly complimentary ensemble. Separately these are marvelous pieces, but together they shine! It’s really a testament to Morgan’s craftsmanship and technique, his harkening to the ways of the old smiths, the tips truly appears much older than they are.
@nanc9354, grandpa certainly had an eye, and I am honored to be the caretaker of these lovely pieces, thank you for your wonderful thoughts. I am an avid reader, (of books, I’ve a disorder that requires me to be able to physically turn a page and smell the book as opposed to thumbing a screen ) and am a curator of many things that have conversed with my soul. I’ve got dear friends that are Athapaskan Natives, as well as a very close friend of the Quinault Nation in northwest Washington. Both of which have ensured my acquiring of Alaskan carvings, and First Nation, Nothwest Coast artworks. I will put together the stories and photograph the pieces for new threads. In the interim, here is a photo you may enjoy, thanks for pointing out one of my most beloved pieces of furniture!
The pieces really do go together wonderfully, Tom. Classic and understated. Good design, well executed is timeless!
Thanks Aaron and Mike!
Mike, I’m thinking you’re holding out on some cool '70s stuff.