Yazzie Johnson And Gail Bird Buckle Set Of High Grade Variscite

About the Piece: Yazzie Johnson And Gail Bird Buckle Set Of High Grade Variscite

When you've worked in the Native American jewelry business for long enough, you develop a keen sense for the pieces that you'll eventually regret selling. This unparalleled belt buckle by Gail Bird and Yazzie Johnson is one of those pieces. 

There are things about this buckle that speak to my soul! 

1. The high grade natural Variscite stones with eye-catching spider webbed matrix are after my heart. It's not just the green color that delights, it's the way the dark designs in the matrix play with the linear starburst designs in the silver work like earth and sky. It's also the way the stones are held and highlighted by the elongated geometric shape of the sterling silver background. It's not quite oval, not quite hexagonal. It's just contemporary angular juicy goodness.
   
2. Yazzie Johnson and Gail Bird could have created just ONE buckle. Instead they created TWO that are perfectly complimentary and join together with a heavy handmade sterling silver fastener at the center. It's just beyond fabulous!
3. This buckle is Gail Bird and Yazzie Johnson in the earlier days of their career when they were still making magic with silver rather than gold. It's rarer to find their sterling silver jewelry, and when you do, it's half the price for killer design and killer stones.
4. It makes a bold statement on the body even though it's still modern, elegant and restrained.
   
5. The back is decorated with marvelous bird overlay. It's a special element that they often incorporate into their designs. It's something only you know is there (unless, of course, you decide to share).

I could go on and on. I really do love this buckle.

The buckle measures 4 1/4" long including both segments. The width is 1 5/8" and it fits a 1/2" -5/8" belt strap. Signed on the reverse. 

The buckle is from a MAJOR collection of contemporary Native American jewelry. Much of the collection now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Watch this video for more about the Yazzie Johnson and Gail Bird's buckle.

Summary:

Item: Yazzie Johnson And Gail Bird Buckle Set Of High Grade Variscite

Attribution: Yazzie Johnson And Gail Bird

Materials: High Grade Variscite and Sterling Silver.

Dimensions: The buckle measures 4 1/4" long including both segments. The width is 1 5/8" and it fits a 1/2" -5/8" belt strap.

Signature: Signed on the reverse.

Provenance:The buckle is from a MAJOR collection of contemporary Native American jewelry. Much of the collection now resides at the Art Institute of Chicago.