This buckle is by Navajo silversmith Roland Dixson whose work we've been buying for about ten years. When we first began buying his work it consisted of smaller pieces; barrettes, concho pins and belt buckles. These days, Roland also makes beautiful concha belts.

On our last visit to Roland he had just finished making a group of classic oval buckles; scalloped edges, domed centers, different stampwork on each piece. We bought them all because each was beautiful and wonderfully made. This is one of two of them which were made with more intricate stampwork and natural, untreated stones. The s-shaped designs around the center stamped diamond and stone are designs which first appeared in Navajo concha belt buckles in the beginning of the 20th century (John Adair, The Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths, University of Oklahoma Press, 1944, p. 33). The buckle is made to fit a standard 1 1/2" width western belt and its size is just right (it's not the size of a license plate like the wrestling belts or a rodeo trophy buckle). But if you're wearing Levi's or Wrangler's, what else would you wear with them? That one-inch width belt that you wear to the office just doesn't look right with your jeans. He used natural, untreated Chinese turquoise for the center stone.

Hallmarked "Roland Dixson" in script and stamped "Sterling" on back.

                           Overall dimensions: 3 3/16" x 2 13/16"          Stone: 7/16" x 1/4"

                                                          Fits 1 1/2" wide belt