Navajo Indian Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt 2909-CN
Navajo Indian Turquoise Nugget Silver Concho Belt.
An affordable, cutting edge, popular concho belt. Made in our shop by Navajo artist Joey McCray of Gallup, New Mexico. Each of the conchos and the buckle on this belt hold natural nuggets of genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise (the Tiffany of Turquoise). Each of these gorgeous Turquoise nuggets have been set in Nickel Silver bezels that have been sweated to the scalloped Silver conchos and buckle. The Nickel Silver on this buckle has been hand stamped with traditional southwestern designs. Each of the eleven conchos are 1-1/2" long and 1-3/8" wide. The buckle is 2" long and 1-5/8" wide. It's all attached to a leather belt, completely adjustable, we can cut it down for you at almost any length. Stamped, Hand made and signed with the artist's hallmark.
Concha belts are one of the most striking articles of Indian Jewelry. The medallions or plates of silver vary in number according to size. The older type had holes in the center, separated by a bar, through which was passed the strap forming the belt. The first belts were made only of concha's, with leather thongs used for fastening. Later a silver harness buckle was used, then slides of soft copper were used to attach and slide the concha's on belts and finally elaborate buckles replaced the leather thongs and simple buckles. The use of turquoise and other adornment on concha's date from the 1920's. The variety of sizes, materials and quality of silver smithing and lapidary masterpieces, with every piece being hand wrought and crafted.
In Indian folklore it is said that there was once a chief with turquoise colored skin. One day he was running from his enemies in the hot desert. Whenever he stopped to rest, his perspiration ran onto the ground, collected in rocks and became turquoise.
There are many legends about Turquoise; The Pima consider it to bring good fortune and strength and that it helped overcome illness. The Zuni believe that blue turquoise was male and of the sky and green turquoise was female and of the earth. Pueblo Indians thought that its color was stolen from the sky. In Hopi legend the lizard who travels between the above and the below, excretes turquoise and that the stone can hold back floods. The Apache felt that turquoise on a gun or bow made it shoot straight. The Navajo consider it as good fortune to wear and believe it could appease the Wind Spirit.
Please measure your waist and allow us to know your exact waist size in the 'comment box' as you check out so we can make sure that this concho belt is perfect for you. For concho belts that come with leather, if you do not give us your size specifications the leather belt will come to you unpunched.
We understand the true value and nature of hand crafted Indian art. And, we recognize it's important to know that the artist is truly a member of a Native American tribe. So, to ensure you that this is the real deal, a Certificate of Authenticity has been included with this item.
CERTIFIED AUTHENTIC |