This belt buckle is the work of acclaimed Zuni artists Leander and Lisa Othole. They are a well-known husband-and-wife team from the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, celebrated for their mastery of intricate mosaic inlay.

Artistry and Materials

The Otholes specialize in a precise stone-on-stone inlay technique where each natural material is individually cut and polished to fit perfectly against the next with minimal silver showing. This buckle features a vibrant, geometric design crafted from traditional Zuni materials: It 3” in length by 2” wide. There is 43.60 grams of work silver Sterling Silver: The base and frame of the piece.

Blue Turquoise: Likely Kingman or Sleeping Beauty turquoise.

Black Jet: Fossilized coal used for deep black backgrounds.

Red Coral: Often used to provide bold contrast.

Vintage Mother of Pearl: Provides the shimmering white/iridescent sections. The Zuni people have been expert lapidaries (stone cutters) for centuries, originally creating stone fetishes and shell

Emergence of Silver: Silversmithing was introduced to the Zuni around 1872 by a Navajo smith named Atsidi Chon, who taught the skill to a Zuni man named Lanyade.

Style Evolution: By the 1920s and 30s, Zuni artists began combining their ancient stone-cutting skills with silverwork, moving away from massive Navajo silver styles toward the delicate, multi-stone mosaic and channel inlay for which they are now world-famous.

Modern Legacy: Artists like the Otholes continue this tradition today, creating pieces that are highly sought after by collectors for their precision and cultural significance.