Richard Chavez Contemporary Buckle of Silver and Mosaic Inlay

San Felipe Pueblo jeweler Richard Chavez is without equal in the contemporary jewelry realm! Once an architectural draftsman for Harvey S. Hoshour, A.I.A. who'd been trained by Bauhaus architect Mies Van de Rohe, Chavez adopted Bauhaus ideals of clean lines, sharp angles, balanced asymmetry, simplicity and minimalism in his jewelry. Also like good Bauhaus designers, Chavez emphasizes geometric shapes.

Richard Chavez created this striking silver inlay buckle in 1977, which was early in his long career as a jeweler. Like most of Richard's jewelry, you can see the Bauhaus influence in this refined hand-cut, multi-stone mosaic inlay buckle. Unlike original Bauhaus principles that encouraged designs that could easily mass produced, Richard's buckle is entirely one-of-a-kind and handmade.

Chavez met renowned Native American art dealer Martha Struever early in his jewelry career, and they became fast friends. 

In the 1970's, Martha Struever owned the Indian Tree Gallery in Chicago, and she was known for discovering the finest Native American art created by the most incredible artists. She immediately recognized Richard Chavez for his brilliance as a designer and a technician. Besides their deep friendship, Marti and Richard engaged in a working relationship that lasted for the remainder of Martha Struever's life. 

This early Richard Chavez abstract buckle was, in fact, originally sold at Martha Struever's 1977 Indian Tree Gallery show, which is a fabulous bit of provenance for a vintage Richard Chavez piece.

It measures 3 1/4" x 2 1/4" and fits a 1 3/4" belt strap. It's signed on the reverse.

• Vintage Richard Chavez Buckle
• Sterling silver with hand cut mosaic inlay stones 
• Created in 1977
• Originally sold by Martha Struever at her Indian Tree Gallery
• Measures 3 1/4" x 2 1/4"
• Fits a 1 3/4" belt strap
• Signed on the reverse