Zuni Pueblo Multi Stone Mosaic Inlay Ranger Buckle Set by Celestine and Elizabeth Cooche [SOLD]

The original ranger buckle sets were used by the Texas Rangers so the holsters carrying their six-shooters would hang correctly. The sliders held the belt in place and the tip attached securely so as to prevent the weight of the guns from pulling down the belt.  Similarly designed ranger buckle sets (not for holding six shooters) became a popular item for Zuni artists to make in the middle of the 20th century as the artists began creating different products to sell to the tourists visiting the Southwest. Often during this time period, lapidary work was done by Zuni artists and then subsequently set into silverwork by Navajo silversmiths. This was a common practice at Zuni, with Navajo artists living and working at Zuni, hired by the traders to prepare elegant silver settings for ornate Zuni stonework.

This multi-stone ranger set features finely cut and shaped mother-of-pearl, turquoise, jet and coral. The stones are set in a mosaic style, stone to stone with even precision. The set includes a buckle, two sliding holders and a tip. All the stones have been set in well-crafted sterling silver. The buckle and tip both have small stamped areas.  Although the set is unsigned, Richard Taubman, formally of Turquoise Village at Zuni, identified it for us as the work of Celestine and Elizabeth Cooche. He informed us that the white shell keeper was their signature design. They were well known for their well crafted ranger sets. This is a very attractive ranger set that would look good on any belt. The set was made in the 1960s.

The ranger set is currently attached to a hand-carved leather belt for waist sizes from 24 to 29 inches. However it is easily removable and may be attached to a belt of any style, size and color desired.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Multi Stone Mosaic Inlay Ranger Buckle Set by Celestine and Elizabeth Cooche is from a Colorado collector

Recommended Reading:

- Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair; Zuni Jewelry by Theda Bassman

- Zuni: A Village of Silversmiths by Marian Rodee and James Ostler

Relative Links: buckle, Navajo, Zuni, Celestine and Elizabeth Cooche