Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Native Style TAXCO Turquoise Concho Belt 356.2g

Description

We have similar Taxco and Turquoise items, which would pair nicely with this piece, for sale this week. To view in separate listings, please visit our store and search "Taxco" or "Turquoise" under our Buy-It-Now items.
Listing Description by: Angela A.
The Piece
Age Circa:
Antique Native Navajo style C. 1960s
Markings:
Marked "Mexico" on the back of one link, tested, and guaranteed
Country of Origin:
Mexico
Brand:
Taxco
Gram Weight:
356.2 grams
Metal Type:
.925 sterling silver
Material:
--
Main Stone:
Turquoise
Main Stone Measurements/Color:
Length:
8.86 mm to 9.42 mm
Width:
7.12 mm to 7.71 mm
Color:
opaque blue-green hue with speckled lighter green hues and grey speckles
Accent Stone:
--
Accent Stone Measurements/Color:
--
Stone Treatment:
The stone(s) appear to be untreated, but we are not certified gemologists. Stone(s) have been tested and guaranteed using a professional Presidium Duo refractive, heat, and hardness tester.
Stone Cuts:
Carved and polished cabochon
Item Measurements:
Total length:
48.06"
Wearable lengths:
the belt closes at 30", 31", 32", 33", 34", and 35" inches
Concho measurements:
2.84" length, 2.45" width
Concho buckle measurements:
3.38" length, 2.99" width
Leather belt width
: 0.60"
Collectible Type:
Taxco belt
Men's or Women's:
Unisex
Notable Features:
Handmade during the 1960s by a talented Mexican Taxco artisan in the style of Native Navajo jewelry
Composed of .925 sterling silver
The black leather belt features eight huge concho motifs adorned with turquoise stones
Each turquoise contains a unique blue-green hue with speckled lighter green hues and grey speckles
Between each concho is a sterling silver bow-like motif
All of these sterling silver motifs contain hand-hammered stamped designs at the edges
Finished with a huge concho buckle for secure wear
Damage:
Age appropriate wear. This item is ever so slightly tarnished in places, which is to be expected of an item this age. The price of this item has been reduced to reflect this.
*This listing is for the item only. All display boxes and/or photography props do not come with your purchase.*
The History
Taxco, Mexico is famous for producing the finest sterling silver jewelry in the world. Taxco has a rich history of silver-making, with the Aztecs being the first to mine and craft sterling silver for adornment and ceremony. In the 1920s, an American artist named William Spratling moved to Taxco. Being inspired by pre-Columbian and Aztec art, Spratling built a successful jewelry business. Many local aspiring artisans started apprenticing under him, and he eventually developed an apprenticeship program, with many famous silversmiths having learned there. The Taxco tradition of silversmithing is still carried on by the local artisan community today.
Turquoise is found all over the world and has been a popular semi-precious stone used in jewelry and art for thousands of years by many different cultures; from prehistoric times to the present. Turquoise comes in many beautiful color variations; from the popular bright solid sky-blue hues to dark blue hues with dark spiderwebbing throughout, as well as aqua, teal, and many green varieties, and even some rare white with dark spiderwebbing.
Navajo silversmiths, working from 1870 to 1900, learned about stamping from Mexican leather workers, and adopted this to their metal working. Artisans made their own stamps that were passed down to each generation. Stampings are usually hand hammered using handcrafted or die stamps and include traditional Native American symbols, such as sunbursts, to ornate landscapes. This technique has been passed on and utilized by other Native American tribes and continues to be a popular method of jewelry making.
Domestic US
: All items ship within one business day
of receiving payment. Buyers will have 3 base shipping options to choose from, depending on the needed speed of delivery. Pricing on single and multi-purchase transactions can be seen below:
Auction Items:
Base shipping + .00 per additional gold item & BIN items combine for free
BIN Items:
FREE
Base Shipping:
USPS
First Class
: .00 fully insured, estimated 3-5 business days
USPS
Priority Mail
: .00 fully insured, estimated 2-3 business days
USPS
Priority Express
: .00 fully insured, overnight delivery
International
: All packages are sent via USPS and pricing is based on buyer location. Each customer will receive a revised invoice at the close of the auction with an updated shipping rate. We will combine shipping on multiple purchases for free.
We do not undervalue packages for customs, please do not ask us
to do so. What you pay is what we will claim on your customs form.
Please take this into consideration before placing your bid.
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