Included in this lot is a Signed Hopi Sterling Silver Overlay Belt Buckle, guild hallmark stamped. The Hopi Silvercraft Cooperative Guild was founded in 1949 by Hopi artists Fred Kabotie and Paul Saufkie to train returning World War II veterans in silversmithing and the unique Hopi overlay technique. The Guild provided a workspace, materials, and a way to sell their work, which was instrumental in fostering a new generation of silversmiths and establishing a sustainable livelihood for them. The organization is no longer active, but its legacy continues through contemporary artists and the collection at the Museum of Northern Arizona. It provided a way for artists to create jewelry that expressed their cultural beliefs through techniques like the overlay method, which became the hallmark of Hopi silverwork. This distinct Hopi method involves cutting intricate designs into one silver sheet and soldering it onto a darker, oxidized base layer. The contrasting layers bring symbolic imagery inspired by Hopi culture and nature to life. This spectacular piece displays Hopi geometric designs that are not merely decorative but serve as a symbolic language reflecting the tribe's spirituality, deep connection to nature, and ancestral history. These intricate patterns are often stylized representations of elements central to Hopi culture, appearing on pottery, baskets, and silver overlay jewelry. The buckle is hallmarked on the reverse with a stamped tobacco leaf and a sunface. The buckle is in good condition overall, rich patina noted throughout. Measures 1.5"W x 2"L, weight is 31.3 grams.