Concha belts — Bahti Indian Arts

See the Vintage Gallery for details on these fine belts.

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A classically beautiful concha belt. The hallmark on the reverse is AM which is a hallmark attributed to Angeline Miller (Navajo) but honestly, it could be another Navajo smith as this work is not typical of what little I have seen of her work. The buckle and each of the conchas measure 2.75 by 2 1/8 inches. $1275. (TUCSON)

A very contemporary concha belt by long-time Navajo silversmith Frances Jones. The buckle measures 1.5 by 1 3/8 inches and each of the 16 conchas is 1 by 1.5 inches. And for the bars on the back she used sterling silver, not the usual copper. $1450. (TUCSON)

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An overlay concha belt by Willie Yazzie Sr. Each concha is 2 inches in diameter. Willie apprenticed at Dean Kirk's store, west of Gallup, working there for roughly ten years (late 1950s-early 1960s) and also demonstrated at the Mesa Verde National Park for some twenty years. He died in 1999. $1600 (SANTA FE)

This beautifully designed and crafted concha belt was made by Rick Martinez. He comes from a family of Navajo silversmiths who work in an older style. The buckle measures3.25 by 2.5 inches and each of the eight conchas is 2 1/8 by 2 5/8 inches. $1450. (SANTA FE)

Another classic belt by a master -sadly, gone. Harry Morgan is credited with helping revive and popularize old style Navajo jewelry. The conchas measure 2 by 2.5 inches and the buckle is 2.5 by 3 inches. Set with great natural spiderweb turquoise. (Sorry, I can't make a solid guess on which mine and Harry used a variety of fine turquoise.) $1875. (SANTA FE)