Authentic Vintage Navajo 1st Phase Coin Silver 19th Century 1880’s Concho Belt

Description

Concho Belt
Navajo
Circa 1880-1890
Length: 45 inches; Conches: 3.75 x 3.25 inches;  Buckle: 3.5 x 3 inches. Leather backing conforming to reverse of each Concho; fitting perfectly. Backing prevents Concho from sliding.)
This fine example displays small crescent stamped scalloped border; file and chisel techniques-twisted wire effect. Additional and very special decorative work (circles) surrounding the central diamond slot opening indicate that the piece was made during the third quarter of the nineteenth century. It is very interesting to note that the maker used the same crescent stamp; pairing the crescents in opposing direction to create the circular motif at outer slot border. This technique is very innovative and supports the theory that early smiths had a very limited number of tools in their possession, common in the early days of the craft.
This example, directly collected from a Santo Domingo Pueblo is like a document attesting to many years of native ownership. Note the silver rivets employed to facilitate repair. The buckle, which dates a decade later than the Concho was an "in-use" period addition to the belt. Early buckles were often simple bridal buckles of brass or iron and were replaced as the owners financial or trading resources allowed. The differing stamps and techniques used to make this buckle suggest a different maker. The buckle itself is quite wonderful.
The buckle shows two old repairs on the back; both within native American traditions...both wonderful. The first was done by soldering re-enforcing pieces of silver to the back of buckle; above and below the opening. Note the hammering (planishing). The second repair occurred when the center bar of the buckle either broke or simply wore out...the owner, not a silversmith, perhaps not having access to a smith-or unable to pay...ingeniously riveted a replacement bar into place where it remains. A wonderful and special surviving buckle with native user's "make-do" retrofit with uncompromised integrity.
THIS BELT COMES WITH DOCUMENTATION FROM AN EXTREMELY REPUTABLE OLD ESTABLISHED ANTIQUE ASSOCIATION THAT DEALS PRIMARILY WITH 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th century coin silver....