I’m offering for your consideration an extraordinary hand constructed early-mid-Century Navajo Guild belt hand hammered and stamped. The Navajo Arts and Crafts Guild jewelry is very highly collectible. It was founded to revive the standards for high quality Native crafts after a degradation from tourist-oriented crafts, and formed by the Navajo Tribal Authority in the late 1930’s in order to help young Navajo silversmiths learn from the great masters and maintain the quality of classic Navajo silver work. The Guild’s standards were exacting and their instructors were among the most accomplished Navajo jewelers of the period. The individual makers did not sign Guild pieces which could only be marked with the horned sun logo of the NACG and the word Navajo. So some of the instructors’ work is among these pieces along with the students’ work and a lot of time is spent wondering who really made which of the pieces, but that can’t really be proven. What is known is that the Navajo Guild silver includes some of the finest Navajo jewelry of the 20th century and is highly collectible and desirable. It is generally characterized by its classic technique, clean and elegant lines, restrained use of stamp work and limited use of stones. This belt has all those features, fine and elegant simplicity. The stamp work is very clean and very fine. The dimensions are as follows. The leather is 5/8, which is the correct size of course. The runners are copper and fit the leather perfectly. All the rest of the belt is sterling silver. There are ten conchas and they measure 1-5/8″ high x 2-1/4″ long. The buckle measures 2-1/8″ wide x 1-3/4″ high. The weight of the entire belt is 153.6 grams. The length of the belt is 32-1/4 to the furthest hole and of course can be smaller. One can always put in a new leather for a longer belt and just separate the conchas further. They are pretty close together now. Previous owner says it was worn through the loops on her Levi blue jeans; it’s a unisex belt, of course. This piece is properly stamped for the NACG with the horned sun logo that looks like Aladdin’s Lamp to me! And the word Navajo. It is correct in every way and it’s in wonderful vintage, collectible and wearable condition. I have priced this one better, and more than fairly. It’s a true bargain and it’s just wonderful. This belt is museum quality. I recommend it for the best collections. It’s gorgeous to wear. It will always be suitable and will always be elegant. I believe that you will delight in it, as I do. You can’t do better than a Navajo Guild belt of this superb quality. There is no better quality nor better value than Navajo Guild work. Be sure to add me to your favorites list. Take a look at my store. Yes, I sometimes can take reasonable offers. It’s less expensive and is also tracked. First Class International is no longer offered by the US Postal Service. Please let me know if you would like to return something. I care that you’re happy and about my accuracy, and will always stand behind my work. My attributions are guaranteed for my lifetime. 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. Everything I sell comes from my personal collection or is something that I would include in my personal collection. 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. The item “Navajo Guild Hand Stamped & Constructed Concha Belt early-mid-Century Sterling” is in sale since Friday, April 5, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Native American\ US\1800-1934\Jewelry”. The seller is “aaplover” and is located in New York, New York. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Buckle Dimensions: 2-1/8″ wide x 1-3/4″ high.
- Belt Weight: 153.6 grams
- Leather Size: 32-1/4″ Long at furthest hole, 5/8″ Wide
- Handmade: Yes
- Conchas (Quantity 10): 1-5/8″ high x 2-1/4″
- Modified Item: No
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Weight: 153.6 grams
- Culture: Native American: US
- Artisan: Navajo Guild
- Tribal Affiliation: Navajo