Antonio Piñeda More Jewelry and Watches

Navajo needlepoint concho belt. Signed LMB, marked sterling. 11 conchos total. Exceptional design on each concho, featuring floral style center with complementary scalloped silverwork and final layer of turquoise framing concho. Old Pawn. Acquired from a Navajo trader. PERIOD: After 1950 ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwest SIZE: Total Belt Length 62 1/2" Leather; conchos 2 1/4"D The word “concho” sometimes spelled “concha”, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell. Concho belts reportedly began appearing in Navajo country in the late 1860s. Other Native Americans including Zuni and Hopi also made traditional concho belts before long. Concho belts can cost into the thousands of dollars depending upon the craftsmanship, amount of silver, rarity of turquoise and stones used. Belts in the upper end of the price scales are usually made before the turn of the century. Buyers should deal with reputable dealers as many fakes and look-a-likes exist. A well-made belt with age to it will fetch a bigger premium and hold its value better. The earliest concho belts are now referred to as “First Phase” belts. This style of belt was made before Native silversmith had learned much about soldering. The conchos were hammered out from melted coins, cut, and filed into shape, engraved and a diamond shape slot was cut out of the middle of the concho, with a bar left across the center of the diamond shaped slot for the leather loop. Conchos that required no soldering are generally thought to be made from 1860-1880. Second phase conchos were done 1890-1900s in which silversmith began to solder. Third phase conchos is when you start to see the “butterfly” or “bow” appear between conchos and the use of turquoise as an adornment. A butterfly (bow) is a smaller concho in between bigger conchos. A belt with butterflies and sometimes turquoise would be from the early 1900s – 1930s. The timelines may slightly differentiate depending upon who you ask. Natives first had concho belts for personal use only, but around the turn of the last century, tourist demand had kicked in and a new outlet emerged. belts & buckles jewelry silver belts conchos navajo needlepoint southwest turquoise...

Orvis sterling buckle set on chocolate basket weave leather belt. Buckle features elborate scrolled silver work with rope border that is mirrored o...

Large Hand set Turquoise stones surrounding a intricate Zuni Warrior set in sterling silver. Measures 3.00 inches w x 2.50in. Hallmarked LBJ on the back side of the buckle. On a 40" ...

Stunning Zuni Belt Buckle This is a fantastic vintage Native American handmade buckle featuring a wonderful OWL. The inlay work is amazing! Artists Po...

Inlaid with Coral, Turquoise, Mother of Pearl and a bit of onyx with a Bird and Floral motif made by Raymond Boyd. Measuring 3.05 in wide x 2.40 in. This ...

Sombra Girl, cast white bronze belt buckle, dog Melanie Yazzie Navajo Native American Will fit belt size 1.5" maximum. Melanie A. Yazzie (Navajo-Diné) is a highly regarded multimed...

This Cartier Vermeil (gold on sterling silver) necklace is comprised of textured circular discs in the brutalist style, designed circa 1970. The second image shows Jacqueline Kennedy...

Exquisite and Unique David Webb Signed Belt Buckle.

Elegant Buckle Clip suitable for men or women in sterling with 14k gold accents. Beautifully hand crafted in the quality of period Hermes, this small clip can be used to hold down a ...

Christopher Ross Gold Wolf Head Belt Buckle 1976. This unique belt buckle is in great condition. It is gold and is a wolf head design. This piece is a belt b...

This antique 19th century filigree belt buckle is made of 10 karat yellow gold. The rectangular-shaped buckle is embellished with filigree knots a...

Navajo Kingman turquoise and bear claw buckle with small nugget of red coral. Stones and claw set in sterling silver surrounded by leaves, scrolls and beads....