Navajo First Phase Silver and Turquoise Concha Belt

fourth quarter 19th century

seven oval-shaped silver conchas with scalloped edges decorated with stamping and diamond-shaped cutouts, accented with intertwined stamped design; rectangular buckle, set with two turquoise cabochons and accented with repoussé; not marked

belt length 45 inches;
concha length 4-3/8 inches x width 3-1/2 inches;
buckle length 3-1/4 inches x width 3 inches;
weight 607.2 dwt.

The Collection of Michelle Smith, Washington, D.C.

Use wear commensurate with age; very good overall condition. Leather belt is not original, is an older replacement.

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Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Ms. Farnand has helmed the Native American Art department since its inception at Cowan's Auctions in 2003, developing it into one of the most respected and successful departments in the category. Throughout her career, Ms. Farnand has sold over $50 million in Native Art, and has created focused and curated auctions for 19th and 20th century Native works, Jewelry, and Modern and Contemporary Native and Indigenous Arts. A distinguished expert in her field, Ms. Farnand is a respected voice in the ongoing dialogue between Native American tribal groups and the collecting community regarding culturally significant objects, serving as a board member of the Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association (ATADA) since 2019, and spearheading the effort to return a sacred Ahayu:da wooden figure to its rightful home in the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico in 2020. She has also been an appraiser on Antiques Roadshow since 2016. Ms. Farnand holds an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. in Art History from John Carroll University.

Erin Rust

Associate Vice President, Specialist, Native American Art

[email protected]513.666.4947

Erin Rust is a specialist in the Native American, Prehistoric & Tribal Art department at Hindman.
Ms. Rust began as a specialist in Native American Art and Artifacts at Cowan’s Auctions in 2017, with a focus on Native jewelry and Midwestern prehistoric artifacts. She has also worked on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana and on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Ms. Rust holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design with a minor in History, concentrating in Native Studies, from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Rust also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Native American Art, Session I

Navajo First Phase Silver and Turquoise Concha Belt

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