Silver, round-shaped concha button with a stamped scallop-edge design centered around a round silver inset / Native American; Navajo (Diné)

Essay/Description

Silver, round-shaped concha button with a stamped, scallop-edge design, centered around a round silver inset. Concha buttons were originally used as belt decoration. These smaller buttons were used to decorate a variety of clothing and accessories.

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Anthropology Item Information

©Gilcrease Museum

Title(s):

Silver, round-shaped concha button with a stamped scallop-edge design centered around a round silver inset

Culture:

Native American; Navajo (Diné)

Date:

circa 1890

Period:

Historic

Place:

United States of America

Materials/Techniques:

silver

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Object Type:

Concho

Accession No:

60.111

Department:

Anthropology

Not On View

Dimensions

Overall:

Height: 0 27/100in. (0.7cm)
Depth: 1 7/100in. (2.7cm)

Tags and Search Terms

Tags:

adornment, Concho, Indian, Indians, jewelry, Native American, Navajo, Navajo Indians, silver, silverwork, southwest, trade, United States of America

Navajo concha belts

The Navajo made concha belts, the idea of which is thought to have come from Plains oval plaques that decorated one’s hair or belt. Others believe the Navajo concha belt originated from Spanish designs. Conchas usually have a decorated outside edge and center, where the belt loops through. They began as buttons, but increased in size and complexity over time, especially as belt decorations (Durbin 1999, 489).

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Cite this Page

Silver, round-shaped concha button with a stamped scallop-edge design centered around a round silver inset. 60.111. circa 1890. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://dci-collections.gilcrease.org/object/60111 (04/12/2018).

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