1960's Sterling w/10kt Gold Barrel Racing Buckle

A beautifully detailed circa 1960's solid sterling silver with 10kt gold barrel racing belt buckle. This larger buckle is by Don Ricardo (one of the earlier makers of rodeo buckles) and features finely etched detail and 10kt gold horse & rider and flower repousse. This gorgeous piece of rodeo history is 4 by 3 and fits up to a 1 1/2 belt. 90 grams in total weight. Marked Ricardo Sterling. In fine vintage condition with minor surface wear. It remains unpersonalized and could be left as it is or etched with someone's name etc.

Jeans did not have belt loops until the 1920's (people commonly wore suspenders) and so Western belt buckles weren't seen much until the 1940's and in the later 1940's trophy buckles started catching on as rodeo prizes. In those early years they were largely made by Comstock, Don Ricardo and Bohlin.