A handsome Hopi silver belt buckle was hand crafted by noted silversmith Wallie Sekayumptewa of the Reed Clan. Buckle is accented with genuine turquoise. This very rare piece is beautifully crafted and stamped.
Wallie produced jewelry from 1948 to 1967, when he ceased working due to impaired eyesight. Under the G I bill returning servicemen were trained at a silversmithing school and learned at the Hopi Arts & Crafts Co-op Guild that was formed in 1947, after World War II. He studied silversmithing under Paul Saufkie and Fred Kabotie and was one of the first to produce silver overlay jewelry. He helped Michael Kabotie get started as a silversmith.
