Vintage Sterling Silver Overlay Bear Buckle

This silver overlay bear is extra cool because it's actually created in the shape of a bear's body which is unusual and unexpected. Look closely, and you'll even see the tiniest sprout of a tail.

The piece is also an interesting illustration that attribution needs to take multiple factors into account besides just the hallmark because there are important nuances in every hallmark itself. 

You see, this great bear buckle was originally purchased as the work of Hopi phenom Michael Kabotie because it is signed with a "K" somewhat similar to one of Kabotie's hallmarks. 

Surprise! Surprise! The buckle is NOT, in fact, the work of Michael Kabotie. How do we know this? Because we look at the style of the buckle, and even though it is done in a silver overlay technique like the technique that Kabotie used, it is not as detailed or precise as Kabotie's style. In addition, if we look at the K hallmark itself and compare it to Kabotie's K hallmark we will see that there are small variations in the hallmark design.

This is actually good news for us if we're wanting a fun and wearable silver overlay bear buckle because it's much more affordable without the attribution. If Michael Kabotie had actually created this buckle, it would be priced in the $8000 range which is far out of reach for many people. As is, this one is over 30 times less expensive and you've still got something that is visually exciting, stands for something powerful and strong, and comes with a fantastic reminder about how to be cautious in your collecting.

Mr. Bear buckle is probably Navajo rather than Hopi made although the artist is, as of yet, unattributed. It measures 2 3/4" x 1 7/8" and fits a 1 1/4" buckle.

• Silver overlay bear shaped buckle
  
• Measures 2 3/4" x 1 7/8"
• Fits a 1 1/4" buckle
• Signed with a K and is NOT Michael Kabotie