{"product_id":"1-5-chief-shatka-bear-step-sterling-silver-thunderbird-belt-buckle-w-turquoise","title":"1.5\" Chief Shatka Bear-Step sterling silver thunderbird belt buckle w\/ turquoise","description":"1.5\" Chief Shatka Bear-Step sterling silver thunderbird belt buckle w\/ turquoise.  Solid sterling silver (tested) with weight and measurements in pictures.   Circa third quarter of the  20th century.   Age appropriate wear.   Fits a 1.5\" belt.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eChief Shatka Bear-Step (1898-1980); otherwise known as Richard Spencer) who was both an accomplished and well known silversmith.\u003cbr\u003eNot only was Shatka Bear-Step a silversmith but he was also passionate about the Appaloosa horse breed. The Appaloosa Horse Club (an international breed registry), inducted Chief Shatka Bear-Step into their hall of fame in 1988, and on their website they describe him in this way: \"An Appaloosa showman and promoter, Shatka Bear-Step added colorful and romantic aspects to the breed. Shatka was the father of Mr. Dick Spencer (Western Horseman Magazine) and a well-known silver and turquoise artist. He was featured on national television depicting the Lord‘s Prayer in Indian Sign Language. He produced several awards for the Appaloosa Horse Club, including the Shatka Bear-Step award given to the overall high point youth at each National Show.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis love for the Appaloosa breed is apparent in the book he wrote and illustrated, \"Painted Ponies\" It was originally published in 1952. \u003cbr\u003eListed with ExportYourStore.com","brand":"Estate Fresh Austin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51979001495768,"sku":"2axtg4ssfv1twdfsre","price":975.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/6284\/7960\/files\/il_fullxfull.8225205408_t7zb.jpg?v=1783828110","url":"https:\/\/estatefreshaustin.com\/id\/products\/1-5-chief-shatka-bear-step-sterling-silver-thunderbird-belt-buckle-w-turquoise","provider":"Estate Fresh Austin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}