VINTAGE NAVAJO SILVER & TURQUOISE CONCHO BELT BY ROGER SKEET JR.

Description

Navajo artist Roger Skeet Jr. learned and worked with his father, renowned silversmith Roger Skeet Sr.  Both artists are known for their outstanding silversmithing skills, and great stamp and repousee work.  This exquisite concho belt is a good representation of Roger Skeet Jr’s excellent skills.  The belt has a buckle, nine oval conchos, and ten butterfly conchos.  Made out of sterling silver and set with turquoise stones.  Signed.  ca. 1970’s

Weight-394 grams

Length-46  1/2″

Leather Width- 7/8″

Buckle Size-2  1/8″ x 2  1/2″

Concho Size-2  1/16″ x 2  1/4″

Butterfly Size-1  1/8″ x 1  3/4″

Repousee is a technique in which a metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low-relief on the front.

The Navajos began working with silver in the 19th century, and began making things like buckles, bridles, buttons, rings, canteens, hollow beads, earrings, crescent-shaped pendants (called “najas”), bracelets, crosses, powder chargers, tobacco canteens, and conchos (for belts).  Their silversmithing skills has evolved and changed throughout the years, and in about 1880 Navajo silversmiths started to set turquoise in their silver work.  Traditionally, Navajo artists worked with jewelry techniques like repousee and stamp work, but today they explored in other Native American jewelry making techniques like Zuni inlay work and Hopi overlay work.

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