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).
Silver stamped and hand tooled button with a geometric pattern and a turquoise inset. 84.2037. Kravis Discovery Center. circa 1880. Tulsa: Gilcrease Museum, https://collections.gilcrease.org/object/842037 (06/05/2018).
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