Vintage Navajo Sterling Silver Sand Cast Turquoise Concho Belt 450g Heavy 1950's

This authentic vintage Navajo concho belt is a beautiful example of mid-20th century Southwestern craftsmanship, likely from the 1950s–1960s Third Phase era. Made of solid sterling silver, it weighs an impressive 450 grams (melt value approximately $950 at today's silver spot price of $65.71/oz). The belt measures 45 1/2 long, with each ornate concho section sized 1 1/2 tall x 3 1/4 across. The central natural turquoise cabochon is 10.3mm tall x 16mm across—veined and vibrant, set within a bold floral repoussé design featuring scalloped edges, intricate stamping, and classic butterfly connectors linking the conchos. What makes this belt particularly special is its sand-cast construction, a traditional Navajo technique dating back to the 19th century. Navajo silversmiths (Diné) pioneered sand casting by carving designs into wet sand molds, pouring molten silver (often from melted coins), and then hand-finishing the pieces. Sand-cast conchos were especially popular in the 1940s–1960s, when artisans created elaborate pieces for trading posts and collectors. Concho belts originated in the late 1860s, when Navajo artisans adapted Spanish conchas (shell motifs) and Plains Indian hair plates into silver disks. Early First Phase belts were simple slotted conchos; by the 1880s–1890s (Second Phase), soldering enabled front-facing designs. The Third Phase (early 1900s onward) added turquoise settings and butterflies, symbolizing status, protection, and cultural heritage.