Pear Cut Barware

Signed LMB. Marked sterling; 11 conchos total. 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...

A silver barrel-shaped bar accessoriy. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In a barrel form with a gold washed interior. Marked to the base for Tiffany & Co. / Maker's / Sterli...

A fine miniature sterling silver golf set. By Tiffany & Co. Consisting of golf bag, a caddy with wheels, and four golf clubs (1 iron, 3 iron, 6 iron, and 8 iron). The caddy has tw...

A fine sterling silver cocktail jigger. By Tiffany & Co. With a gold wash and stepped, conical sides. Model no. 22714 Simply a great Tiffany cocktail jigger! Date: Mid-20th Cen...

A fine antique Russian vodka or Kiddush cup. By Mikhail Dimitriyev. In 84 zolotnik Russian silver (.875 silver). Decorated with 2 large landscape scen...

Zuni Sleeping Beauty turquoise and dark red coral buckle. Nuggets surrounded by twisted rop border with stylized thunderbird with wings and tail feathers....

A fine Argentinian ice bucket & tongs set. By Airedelsur. In alpaca metal (a copper, nickel, and zinc alloy). Both tongs and bucket have handles made of striped cow horn. Marked ...

DEAKIN & FRANCIS, Piccadilly Arcade, London Need to slickly access cash and cards? A money clip is the easiest way to access the Benjamin’s, greenbacks or Shekels without keeping th...

Gentleman's Sterling Silver and Leaded Glass Antique English Flask. Six inches tall with removable bottom to form a cup. Measures 6 x 3 x 1 inches. In ...

The Following Item we are offering is a Rare Estate Faceted Clear and Purple Hand Cut Etched Glass Decanter with Matching Bottle Top. Circa 19th Century. Taken from a Grand New York ...

Navbajo Kingman turquoise and bear claw bracelet with small nugget of red coral. Stones and claw set in sterling silver surrounded by leaves, scrolls and bea...

A fine antique silver plated cocktail shaker. By Wilhelm Wolff Metallwarenfabrik. In silver plate. In the scale of an individual (or possibly double serving) sized shaker. In a b...