Antique Navajo Concho Belt Original Circa 1880s/90s Pre-Harvey German Silver

Description

This is an historical Navajo concho belt made when the tribes did not have access to enough ingot or coin silver to make the large conchos for an entire belt, circa 1880s to early 1890s. However, German silver* was readily available quite early on starting in late 1860s and so was used for the larger projects until the Harvey Era when more silver was brought in by Fred Harvey specifically to provide for the tourism trade that he created and also the tribes by that time had begun to acquire silver coinage from the sale of their handicrafts.
A substantially similar belt was sold on ebay circa 2009/10 for ~00.
This belt was acquired in 1998 from a Western Arts & gun dealer who had  acquired it from a Hollywood studio expropriation sale around 1990.  It had been a part of their Western costuming inventory and had been used in several famous Western movies from the late 30's until being retired to the warehouse where it lay for at least 30-40 years until the expropriation event. The original thin leather strap (~ 7/8") had been more recently overlain with a much wider piece (~2-7/8"), most probably by the studio wardrobe department as it is now quite worn itself on the side surface. This style is iconic for original 19th century Navajo concho belts.
*
In the nineteenth century, particularly after 1868, Plains Indian
jewelers were able to easily acquire sheets of German silver. They used them to cut, stamp, and cold hammer a wide range of accessories and also horse gear. Continuing into the present, Plains metalsmiths have used German silver for pendants, pectorals, bracelets, armbands, hair plates,
conchas
(oval decorative plates for belts), earrings, belt buckles, necktie slides, stickpins, dush-tuhs and tiaras
.
Total length  ~ 46-1/2".  There are 5 large oval conchos of ~ 3-3/4" x 2-7/8" and 6 butterfly conchos of ~ 2-7/8" x 1-1/2". The buckle is ~ 4" x 3-1/4".
Consider all pictures as part of the visual description of this item. More pictures available as needed.
Antique condition as in photos. See photos with ruler and coin for size references.
May have scuffs, scratches, patina, dings, bends or other types of wear from previous use, age and/or storage.
AS-IS. No returns.
Will be sanitized prior to shipping.
Shipped USPS 1st Class, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express to Domestic US and
Global Shipping Program or EMS to International.
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All surface anomalies, inconsistencies of color and other non-uniform characteristics are inherent age-acquired qualities of antiques and are not interpreted as imperfections or damages.
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No returns unless GROSSLY not as described (i.e. received wrong item). Possible inaccuracies/differences of opinion in dating and/or cultural attributions do not constitute "grossly not as described". Archaeological and anthropological interpretations and opinions may vary widely amongst collectors & scholars. The information presented herein represents the studied opinion of the author of this post who is neither an expert nor claims any affiliation with any academic or archaeological/anthropological institutions and is for informational purposes only. It is in no way meant to supercede or supplant any published, non-published or transient interpretations or any other information which my be currently widely accepted as fact. Use your own judgement and knowledge in analysis of the item(s) presented here for purchase. In addition, a
ll surface/cosmetic/structural anomalies, inconsistencies of color and other non-uniform characteristics which may be present, are inherent qualities of antiques and are not considered as imperfections or "not as described", regardless of whether or not they can be detected in listing photos or have been mentioned in the listing text.
Item is being sold AS-IS.
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