{"product_id":"antique-hand-stamped-sterling-silver-concho-belt-approx-1890-1920-35-37","title":"Antique Hand-Stamped Sterling Silver Concho Belt – Approx. 1890–1920 | 35–37\"","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is the kind of piece collectors spend years hunting for.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eantique sterling silver concho belt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, measuring approximately \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e35–37\" long\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and featuring \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10 individually hand-stamped conchos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, traditional butterfly\/bow spacers, and a beautifully detailed statement buckle. Based on the construction, solder work, hand-stamping, and copper-backed loops, the belt appears consistent with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eturn-of-the-century concho belt construction, approximately 1890–1920\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnd that length matters. Antique concho belts this long are incredibly difficult to find. This one can be \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eshortened to accommodate a smaller waist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which is considerably easier and far more desirable than trying to relocate an antique set of conchos onto an entirely new leather belt.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvery metal component has been \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eindividually tested for sterling silver\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The conchos feature \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecopper belt loops on the reverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an important construction detail associated with the evolution of early concho belts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMeasurements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall belt length:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 35–37\"\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuckle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 2\" W × 1 3\/4\" H\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConchos:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 1 1\/4\" W × 1\" H\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNumber of conchos:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 10\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eButterfly \/ bow spacers:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 1 1\/8\" H × 5\/8\" W\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMetal components:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Every single piece was tested individually to confirm sterling silver\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConcho backs:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Copper loops\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEstimated period:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 1890–1920 based on construction and silversmithing characteristics\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hand-stamped silverwork is beautifully detailed, with scalloped edges, repoussé-style dimensional centers, crescent and repeating stamped motifs, and the wonderful surface variation that comes with genuinely hand-worked antique silver. Nothing here looks laser-perfect because nobody in 1900 had a computer politely making every mark identical. Thank God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Little Concho Belt History\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConcho belts generally evolved through several recognizable periods:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFirst Phase | 1860–1880\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEarly belts were typically composed of plain or decorated silver conchos without turquoise. Openings were cut directly into the conchos so the leather belt could be threaded through them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSecond Phase | 1880–1900\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstruction became increasingly elaborate. Turquoise and other stones began appearing during this period, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ebutterfly spacers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e were introduced between conchos to improve spacing and balance. Separate loops on the reverse also allowed silversmiths to decorate the entire face of the concho rather than sacrificing portions of the design for belt slots.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThird Phase | 1900–1930\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConcho belts continued becoming more sophisticated in both construction and decoration, with increasingly elaborate stamping, stonework, and silver techniques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContemporary Phase\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLater examples continued those traditions while introducing changing materials, hallmarking practices, and modern silversmithing techniques.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecopper loops on the backs of these conchos\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, combined with the solder construction and unmistakably hand-stamped work, are among the details that point toward its early construction and support an estimated date around the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eturn of the century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis isn’t simply a killer old sterling belt. It is a surviving piece of early Southwestern silversmithing history, complete with the workmanship, construction details, patina, and glorious little imperfections that modern reproductions spend an embarrassing amount of effort trying to imitate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Y'allternative Edge","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49043689046199,"sku":null,"price":799.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/7028\/6775\/files\/IMG_4544-Photoroom_94bda069-3f50-4f16-ba4a-d12d106dbf71.jpg?v=1787428377","url":"https:\/\/yallternativeedge.com\/products\/antique-hand-stamped-sterling-silver-concho-belt-approx-1890-1920-35-37","provider":"Y'allternative Edge","version":"1.0","type":"link"}