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Leather and German silver Native American Church belt

Leather belt with conchos / Carol King Rachlin

Essay/Description

The leather belt is decorated with 9 German silver conchos, two silver conchos flanking the German silver ones and 50 undecorated white metal brads, possibly polished steel or chrome. The silver conchos have punched geometric decorations. The German silver conchos each have an engraved star with 8 points and other geometric punched decorations. All metal components are attached via holes pierced through the leather. All eleven conchos are held in place with a semi-tanned skin lace. The brads are held by the spreading of their back pointed flaps. It appears that the belt has been extended by the addition of two leather end pieces that were machine sewn to the original belt and that cover slits made in the original belt to take ties. The added sections also have vertical slits for insertion of ties.

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Title(s): 
Leather belt with conchos
Creator(s): 
Unknown (Donor)
Culture: 
Native American; possibly Cheyenne
Date: 
19th century - 20th century
Materials/Techniques: 
commercially-tanned leather, semi-tanned hide, German silver, silver, white metal
Object Type: 
Credit Line: 
Gift from the Marriott-Rachlin Collection
Accession No: 
84.3226
Previous Number(s): 
TL2005.20.4
Department: 
Not On View

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