A person in a FaceBook group I belong to, posted a different buckle by this same artist so I went online to find out about him and stumbled upon this one for sale on ebay. Does anyone know anything about this artist?
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Don’t know who William Rogers is, that signature may have been a previous owner. The large chips set in that heavy black resin looks more like Mexican inlay to me, but there’s no proper hallmark. The ducks are beautifully detailed though, it’s almost like cloisonne. Also, i’m pretty sure all of those stones are block.
here’s the link for anyone who wants a closer look. Rare *William Rogers* Sterling Silver Chip Inlay Belt Buckle "Collector's Piece" | eBay
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Thank you! The other buckle I mentioned is also signed “William Rogers Sterling silver” with another bit engraved from one person to another dated 9.22.85. I’m asking permission to post a pic of that one here as well.
I was thinking that MAYBE the famed silverware manufacturer, William Rogers made it, as he was a jeweler before he started in the silverware industry. But then I learned that chip inlay was still unknown then. Maybe someone melted down his sterling and put his name on it? Would an artist give credit to where their silver came from? I know they do with stones…
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Thank you! I agree. I looked and looked… couldn’t find anything either. The other piece is not mine. I’ve asked permission to post it because it is in a private collection and NFS. They will likely say yes after work
I can see why it is in a private collection.
please thank the owner for giving us a glimpse
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Beautifully done, yes?
We are trying desperately to find out about this artist but come up with nothing. I was hoping someone here might know something. Maybe he only made 2?
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Is this also signed by William Rogers? Can you post the back side?
An image search resulted in another duck buckle by William Rogers. Interesting
Item # 256978840709 The link appears to work.
I think that’s the same buckle, just relisted. Will have to look him up again. I had given up
Posted at bottom of thread rather than as reply sorry forum UI is unfamiliar. signed William Rogers Sterling on back, somewhat difficult to read but it’s there. Loop to attach to belt looks to be maybe a well executed soldered repair by previous owner to replace broken hinges, maybe? I got it for $5 at my favorite thrift and I’m wearing it right now, seems solid.
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right place at the right time 
thank you for adding your buckle to this thread.
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WALL OF TEXT WARNING
another example of AI interaction using this image with this text:
“william rogers saw cut overlay with chip inlay”
this is the 1st response that glitched out when I tried to add my reply:
The belt buckle you have is a vintage Native American-style piece featuring both saw-cut overlay and chip inlay techniques. The mention of “William Rogers” in conjunction with Native American jewelry can refer to a few different individuals:
William Singer: The brother of renowned Navajo artist Tommy Singer, William Singer is known for his chip inlay work in Native American jewelry, including belt buckles.
M.M. Rogers Studio (Michael Rogers): A Paiute jewelry artist and studio founder known for intricate inlay work and unique designs, often incorporating both silver and gold.
William Hazen Rogers: A 19th-century American silversmith known for silver-plated flatware and serving dishes, whose company and trademarks were later acquired by larger corporations.
Given the style of the buckle with its distinct overlay and chip inlay, it’s highly likely to be associated with William Singer or potentially another artist working within the tradition of Native American jewelry like Michael Rogers, rather than William Hazen Rogers known for flatware.
About the Techniques:
Saw-Cut Overlay: This technique, notably perfected by Hopi silversmiths, involves two sheets of silver. A design is cut from the top sheet, which is then soldered over a solid back sheet. The recessed areas of the design are oxidized to create a contrasting dark background against the polished silver foreground.
Chip Inlay: This method involves filling cavities within the jewelry with a mixture of crushed stones (like turquoise, coral, lapis, or malachite) and epoxy resin. Once hardened, the surface is polished smooth.
In summary, your belt buckle is a fine example of Native American artistry, employing traditional techniques likely associated with artists renowned for their silverwork and inlay skills.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Are there any identifying marks to help determine the maker?
What other Native American artists used chip inlay?
What are the typical hallmarks for William Singer or M.M. Rogers Studio?
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Overlay - Garland’s
Overlay describes a piece of silver with a design cut out of it – a negative design – laid over a second piece of silver or gold and soldered together. First, t…
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Garland’s
Tommy Singer’s brother William also used the Chip Inlay …
Mar 28, 2015 — Tommy Singer’s brother William also used the Chip Inlay technique. William Singer, the brother of Charlie, Jackie and the late Tommy Singer, has used various ha…
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Native American Jewelry Tips
William Hazen Rogers - Wikipedia
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be ch…
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Wikipedia
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this was my reply to the above which caused a great disturbance in the force 
william singer as well as his brother thomas singer both have well documented hallmarks they used on the items they created and should not be confused or incorrectly identified with the artist william rogers.
Michael M. Rogers
American Jewelry Designer, Silver and Goldsmith
Active in American Handmade Jewelry since 1972 as well as his brother James Rogers both have well documented hallmarks as well as copyrighted designs and should not be confused or incorrectly identified with the artist william rogers.
William Hazen Rogers: A 19th-century American silversmith is just too far out of the timeline to be even remotely considered to be the artist who crafted a turquoise chip inlay belt buckle post 1970’s
Something went wrong and an AI response wasn’t generated.
i kept copies of the screenshots as well as the text generated. i opened up a new tab and repeated my exact 1st question which generated the following
WALL OF TEXT PART II
Visually searched image
william rogers saw cut overlay with chip inlay
The image displays a Native American belt buckle featuring chip inlay and potentially saw-cut overlay, likely associated with the Navajo or Zuni tribes. The specific style, with crushed stones set into cavities in the metal, is known as chip inlay, a technique popularized by Navajo artist Tommy Singer and also used by his brother, William Singer (sometimes referred to as William Rogers in this context).
Key features and context:
Chip Inlay: This technique involves filling depressions in the metal with a mixture of crushed stones (like turquoise and coral) and epoxy resin, which is then polished smooth.
Saw-Cut Overlay: While chip inlay is clearly visible, the presence of saw-cut overlay, where a design is cut from one piece of silver and overlaid onto another, often oxidized piece, would be characteristic of Hopi artistry, although other tribes also utilize variations.
William Singer: If the “William Rogers” mentioned refers to William Singer, his work in chip inlay is noted, and he used various hallmarks like “SD” variations since 1972.
Artistic Representation: The buckle’s imagery, featuring tipis, figures, and perhaps a “peyote bird” design, aligns with symbolism often found in Native American, particularly Plains tribes, art, although the craftsmanship style might suggest a Southwestern origin like Navajo.
This type of handcrafted buckle represents a rich tradition of Native American jewelry, combining skilled metalwork with decorative stone inlay techniques.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
this time i was faster with my copy/paste reply and here we go
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william singer as well as his brother thomas singer both have well documented hallmarks they used on the items they created and should not be confused or incorrectly identified with the artist william rogers.
Michael M. Rogers
American Jewelry Designer, Silver and Goldsmith
Active in American Handmade Jewelry since 1972 as well as his brother James Rogers both have well documented hallmarks as well as copyrighted designs and should not be confused or incorrectly identified with the artist william rogers.
William Hazen Rogers: A 19th-century American silversmith is just too far out of the timeline to be even remotely considered to be the artist who crafted a turquoise chip inlay belt buckle post 1970’s
Thank you for the crucial clarification regarding the distinct identities and legacies of William Singer, Thomas Singer Singer, Michael M. Rogers, James Rogers, and William Hazen Rogers. Your insights are invaluable in ensuring accurate attribution and avoiding misidentification of these renowned artists and silversmiths.
Regarding the belt buckle in the image:
Attribution: While the chip inlay technique is notably associated with artists like William Singer and his brother Thomas Singer, without a clear hallmark, attributing this specific piece to any individual artist, including Michael M. Rogers, would be speculative. The style suggests a Native American origin, likely Navajo or Zuni, given the popularity of chip inlay in those traditions.
“William Rogers” Misconception: The mention of “William Rogers” should not be linked to either William Singer or Michael M. Rogers. William Hazen Rogers, a 19th-century silversmith, is clearly in a different historical context and is not associated with chip inlay techniques or Native American jewelry of the post-1970s era.
Hallmarks and Identification: As you rightly point out, understanding and identifying the unique hallmarks used by artists like William Singer (using “SD” variations), Thomas Singer, and Michael M. Rogers (using “MMR” or “MR”) is essential for accurate identification and appreciation of their work. Michael M. Rogers, for instance, is known for his sterling silver and 14k gold pieces, often marked “MMR”.
Your detailed information underscores the importance of precise historical and artistic context when discussing the intricate world of Native American and American handmade jewelry.
AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
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@Steve Are you going to write a collaborative book at some point along with several people here. Just thought I might throw that in the air and see if it gets caught!
no need for a book.
this forum and its deeply versed contributing as well as lurking members is a daily collaborative team effort that is easily accessible, searchable, visible to the www and won’t end up collecting dust on a shelf in a thrift store or leveling out a wobbly chair.
this thread “William Rogers sterling silver chip inlay belt buckle: WHO IS HE?” is proof that information here finds its way or is found by search engines by those seeking answers without the need to run out and buy something.
we now have 3 examples of work signed by William Rogers and it’s possible that one day in the future a family member, friend or someone who knew him directly will find us and fill in the blanks.
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$5.00 - Wow, that’s quite the bargain! I don’t even wear belt buckles but, I would’ve scooped up that one. It’s a beautiful buckle. Hope you enjoy wearing it.
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For the record, I’m not the Paiute guy. That’s someone else entirely. According to genetic ancestry tests my ancestors are mostly European, with some North African, and SW Asian which is typical for individuals of Mediterranean ancestry. I do have small percentage of Native American ancestry on my father’s side, but absolutely no idea from whom.
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