Concha Belt

The concha belt is one of the earliest and most characteristic of all Navajo silver ornaments. The form was derived from a mingling of Spanish and Plains Indian prototypes, but quickly developed according to Navajo aesthetics. As this group of belts reveals, the form-like all types of Navajo jewelry-evolved in style over time, from the earliest, open-centered conchas seen on the left; to those with closed centers; to those embellished with turquoise stones. However, regardless of the countless variations of stamping, repoussé and stone mounting that have been produced, the scalloped, stamped edge of the concha remains a standard feature. Later interpretations, such as Lambert Homer's channel inlay belt on the right, retained the basic concha format but departed radically from the traditional form.