Navajo attr Ike (Austin) Wilson Concha Belt Hand Constructed early-Century 28" L

Description

Welcome.
I'm offering for your consideration an extraordinary hand constructed early-Century belt hand hammered and chiseled and stamped from ingot. This is really exceptional and very gorgeous. I believe it's an early piece by Ike Wilson who mistakenly was referred to as Austin Wilson for many years, an entirely different person. Ike was the fellow who signed with the extended bow and arrow hallmark when he signed and who did the work which was considered fabulous. It's my impression based on my personal extensive experience with his work that this is an early unsigned piece and that the stamps were his early stamps, which were replaced as time went by with slightly different stamps. For example I have owned two signed pieces with his later tobacco leaf stamp like the ones on this belt's butterflies (the pieces between the conchos): the bracelet and ring whose stamps are copied in a comparison picture above. The ring was recently in my collection and the bracelet also has been sold. I didn't own the box in the comparison picture but several "experts" said it was also an Austin Wilson unsigned piece (this was at a time when Austin Wilson was erroneously considered the artist, rather than Ike Wilson), and you can see that it is not the same stamp as the one in the two signed pieces which I have owned or do own and were authentic and signed with the extended bow and arrow hallmark. The stamp on the box in the comparison picture is not same tobacco stamp as on the signed pieces nor is it the same as the ones in this belt. This belt was earlier than the other three and my best guess is that it contained earlier stamps that the artist used earlier in his career; it is too similar to the later stamps to be coincidental. Stamps wore out, were broken, loaned, stolen, and were lost, so they were sometimes recreated as time went by. Similarly the concho stamp or chisel work on this belt is slightly different than a signed piece I've seen and compared and is a later piece. Like the tobacco stamp, that concho work is very close to identical to this but not identical so that is part of my thinking is that this is an earlier piece. These stamps seem to me to be to be Ike Wilson's work (previously often referred to as Austin Wilson) and the design of the belt seems to be his design in every respect. But if it's not his work, it's certainly the work of a wonderful wonderful silversmith, and this is top-notch best quality hand work, truly the best master work, in my view. Such a great belt! I love it, and consider it a great treasure. You can see from the pictures of the back that it was hand constructed -- what is commonly called ingot work.
The dimensions of this belt are as follows. It's measuring 28-1/2" (72.39 cm)  end to end, but closed it's 28" (71.12 cm). There are 12 conchos, measuring about 1-1/4" (3.18 cm) x 1-1/4" (3.18 cm). Since they are hand made, each is slightly different in size. The butterflies between them measure about 3/4" (1.90 cm) x 3/8" (0.95 cm). Again, they are each different in size, as each was hand made. The buckle size is slightly larger than the concho size. It measures 1-5/8" (4.18 cm) wide x 1-3/8" (3.49 cm) high. The weight of the belt is 71.7grams. This stunning belt is in great vintage, wearable and collectible condition. It is typical of the very early pieces that they were rarely signed and I believe this one dates to early 1930s, and very possibly the 1920s.
Wilson became very famous, worked for CG Wallace, was represented in the Sotheby's auction catalog and was always renowned, prize winning, and his work very highly valued. He lived from 1901 to 1942 and began to win prizes in inter tribal Gallup by the 1930s. He was also featured as a very successful silversmith in Adair's book "The Navajo and Pueblo Silvermiths." Often he was referred to as Ike Wilson, because that was his name, but the confusion may have arisen due to Barton Wright's books that referred to him as Austin Wilson and then the other authors copied the error into their books, as well, so by then the mistake became firmly entrenched. Ernie Bulow, who is the most scholarly researcher in my opinion has done the best work on this matter and seems to have sorted it out.
What this comes down to in regard to this belt is this: the artist who was known as Austin Wilson and used the extended bow and arrow hallmark, was a great artist and I believe that it was he who made this belt early in his career. His actual name was Ike Wilson and Austin Wilson was someone else entirely.
This is just a wonderful belt, whoever made it, and I'm pricing it lower than I should because I'm making an attribution. It is however, an educated attribution. I'm making it with confidence.
The belt was made by Ike Wilson who was previously confused with Austin Wilson, early in his career, before he was signing his work, but whoever did make it, it's certainly an early belt that is just gorgeous and an early hand constructed masterpiece. It's a wonderful piece.The quality of this piece is timeless. It has an elegant simplicity and will always be gorgeous. Absolutely stunning! Museum quality and highly collectible.  One point to be made by this confusion about the artist is that everyone who collects should go for the quality of the work above the name of the artist. Identifying the artists is a great puzzle at times, but identifying top quality work is not so puzzling.
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When I include pages from published books in my listings it is in accordance with Fair Use Law, which permits the use of source material for discussion, reference, education and criticism.
Attributions on many of the old pieces of Native American jewelry are sometimes a moving target. All the books have errors, so in addition to counterchecking, I have developed some expertise over the years and I do care about getting it right, so as more information comes to light I update my listings and also get in touch with my previous buyers, to inform them of any changes in attributions. I am sincerely committed to ongoing accuracy.
Everything I sell comes from my personal collection or is something that I would include in my personal collection. Most pieces are museum worthy and gallery suitable, sold to you at great pricing. I vet every item carefully for quality and condition, and offer you the best. I want you to be able to rely on me for top quality, superb items that are often unique and rare examples of old antique vintage southwest, indian, native american and fine gold and gemstones, whether you're starting a collection or adding to one, or want something great to wear or gift. My goal is that all my buyers are delighted, that my special pieces find the right homes.