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

Essay/Description

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

You may be interested in...

Large silver concha button with stamped scallop edge design and a central pattern

Silver ring with stamped designs and an oval turquoise inset

Large round silver button with stamped scallop edge design and a pattern in the center

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:

Southwest, Native American; Navajo (Diné)

Date:

circa 1880

Period:

Historic

Place:

United States of America

Materials/Techniques:

silver

Classification:

Ethnographic Objects

Object Type:

Button

Accession No:

60.111

Department:

Anthropology

Collection:

Kravis Discovery Center

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

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).

» View All

Cite this Page

Silver, round-shaped concha button with a stamped scallop-edge design centered around a round silver inset. 60.111. Kravis Discovery Center. circa 1880. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/60111 (04/12/2018).

Our Online Collections site is a work in progress. If you have information about this item that may be of assistance, please contact us.

Gilcrease Museum is temporarily closed for construction.

Gilcrease Museum

The World’s Largest Collection of Art and Artifacts of the American West