BECENTI S SILVER Life on the Reservation 16 Concho Belt

Lloyd and Floyd's work is on permanent display at the internationally famous Heard Museum in Phoenix, and you'll find their work in prestigious southwestern galleries as well as all the current collectors' guides. While Floyd and Lloyd have made just about everything imaginable, they're best known for their kachina, animal, and Navajo life-themed story pieces -- principally bracelets, buckles, bolos, and concho belts all of which have tremendous variations in size, weight, and price and all of which will likely appreciate in value just like Floyd Sr.'s have over the years.

The Becenti brothers worked together for several years sharing their father's B-¢-t hallmark. They went their separate ways in late 2004, and Floyd ended up with the hallmark which seems to have permanently disappeared. Floyd now uses a bold, carved B-¢-t while Lloyd's has used four different post-Floyd hallmarks. He stamped the conchos on this belt with his microscopic stamp LL-B-¢-t .

As is, at slightly more than 42" in total length, this overlay style traditional Navajo story 16 concho belt will fit waists up to no more than 40½" in circumference. If the leather belt is too short, longer leather belt blanks are available in many shops and online leather supply sites. If you need a shorter belt, you can easily trim this one with a pair of leather scissors or very sharp sewing scissors. Be sure to measure at least twice and place the conchos exactly where you want them before making cutting the belt shorter and leave just a little extra leather at the end just in case you gain a few pounds now and then :-).

Becenti story jewelry such as this concho belt often depict scenes from Navajo reservation life, animal scenes, and the Intertribal Ceremonials featuring kachina dancers such as the conchos on this belt. This outstanding investment piece displays typical scenes of ordinary everyday life on the Navajo reservation. For example, you'll can see sheep and goat shearing, blacksmithing chores, cooking, the family home which is called a hogan, the outhouse, the family pets all against a sunny backdrop of the towering rock formations in Monument Valley

One of the great features of this belt is that fact that it's intentionally designed to go through the belt loops on your jeans making it a comfortable belt to wear. Each completely hand crafted concho rectangular domed and contoured concho measures 1½" by 1" in spite of small size variations in my photos. The finished ¾" wide black cowhide leather belt comes without any pre-punched holes so that you can fit it to your size needs and custom taper the end. You can create the needed holes with either a leather punch or an ice pick. With the exception of the buckle concho, the remaining fofteen conchos can be moved back and forth to whatever degree of separation you prefer.

Each concho belt the Becentis make is a truly unique piece that reflects their distinctive overlay style. Overlay is a process that utilizes at least two layers of sterling silver and allows the artist to create extraordinary detail when done well.

One layer forms the foundation of the concho while the second and third layers are used to design the overlay elements such as the peoplke and their clothing, the animals, suns, Monument Valley rock formations, plants, and even the borders around the story scenes. These design elements are then bonded onto the thicker bottom layer of the buckle and conchos which Lloyd oxidized and acid-etched in order to produce the contrasting, textured darker background color which will further darken with age as it acquires a natural patina.

Retails for $999.95 and up in the southwest. Why settle for an ordinary concho belt when you can own and wear a genuine Becenti concho belt?

Please help GOOD ebay Native American jewelry sellers remain in business -- sellers who actually care about you, the jewelry, and the artists to furnish you with enough information to make an intelligent, informed buying decision. This includes dimensions, sizes, and information about the artist, the stones when applicable and other details that help ensure your satisfaction. Those who are in a race to the bottom are severely damaging the business and the artists! On ebay, in the end you get what you pay for. The most expensive things you can buy often began as the cheapest. No foreign knockoffs, no seconds, no stolen merchandise, no plastic, no silver plate or nickel silver, and no 'refurbished' merchandise sold here!

As stated above, this belt is both signed and stamped sterling silver by Lloyd Becenti. Photos show two different concho arrangements.

FREE SHIPPING FOR US ORDERS ONLY -- DISCOUNTED SHIPPING FOR INTERNATIONAL ORDERS. Please see list of excluded countries below BEFORE purchasing.

Payment is expected within seven days of purchase unless you make other mutually agreed on arrangements.

Questions: Questions about this item only, please, from serious buyers only and NO questions that are answered in the product description. Most of the questions I receive have nothing to do with the item or are answered in the product description. I don't accept offers, do free appraisals, free research, put members in touch with artists, sell wholesale, or take custom orders so please don't email me about these issues, out of idle curiosity, or send questions not pertaining to this item. Rudely phrased questions, any offer, weight questions, and questions answered in the product description WILL NOT BE ANSWERED. Members submitting requests for additional discounts or offers may be permanently blocked. Please respect this.

Extra Photos: Please remember that people buy millions of dollars’ worth of products each month in this country from catalogues where generally there’s only one photograph and about three short descriptive lines. Sorry, no additional photos are available for this item.

Making Smart Buying Choices: I am a proud member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA) whose members must pledge to sell authentic Native American art and represent it accurately. Only a very, very, very small ebay Native American jewelry sellers have been accepted for membership. If you care whether the jewelry you buy is authentic Native American, please click on the View Seller's Other Items link in the box at the top of the page at right. A substantial percentage of the jewelry offered as Native American is actually made in China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, Mexico, and elsewhere and then misrepresented as Navajo or Zuni. Two-thirds of all so-called Native American jewelry sold in this country is fake especially in this venue and on the TV shopping networks! Remember, choose wisely. Save for a while if necessary to buy the best pieces you can possibly afford. Don’t just spend money, invest it in good quality items that have possible future investment potential. It's against federal law to misrepresent foreign made jewelry as Native American. Protect this investment and assure the Native American authenticity of your purchases by requiring a Certificate of Authenticity.

Authenticity and Provenance: This is a brand new rather than a previously owned item, and a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing its Native American origin is included. The jewelry I sell isn’t stolen, and the artists and traders have been all paid so you needn’t worry about the police knocking on your door or any letters from attorneys. Everything but pawn sterling silver jewelry and stone necklaces are cleaned and polished with tarnish retardant polish before shipping so that it arrives looking sparkling clean and odor free.

U.S. Domestic Shipping: Same day FREE USPS Priority Mail shipping with 2-3 business day delivery, FREE USPS insurance, and FREE delivery or signature confirmation except weekends, holidays, buying trips, family emergencies, or severe weather from a non-smoker on receipt of payment before 3 pm Central Time on business days which ebay considers as Monday - Friday. USPS Express Mail with overnight delivery to most but not all locations available at cost -- price varies by item shape, size, and weight of your purchase(s) -- please email for a quote. I apologize for the following, the new ebay requirements make it necessary: You also agree to pay within the prescribed period of time and, in the event the parcel is lost or damaged, YOU UNCONDITIONALLY AGREE to fulfill USPS requirements or those of the private insurance carrier so that an insurance claim be filed. For USPS claims this includes presenting the box, contents, and damaged item(s) to the Post Office and then sending me a signed USPS claim form. On receipt of the USPS claim form or letter, your entire payment will be immediately refunded in full.

International Shipping: I ship using either USPS International First Class Mail or Express Mail International. Please remember that PayPal REQUIRES trackable shipping for international shipments, and the least expensive USPS trackable shipping method is Express Mail. Cost usually depends on parcel weight and destination so please request a price quote before purchase. A small handling fee will be charged for international orders International buyers UNCONDITIONALLY AGREE to send the insurance company a letter describing the loss or damage when you asked to. If you purchase this item, then you have agreed to a legally binding contract that includes all necessary assistance in filing an insurance claim. On receipt of the USPS claim form or letter, your entire payment will be immediately refunded in full.

International Custom Fees and Duties: Import duties, taxes, and any import fees are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering shipping company or post office -- please do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.

CURRENTLY EXCLUDED COUNTRIES: Sorry, I can NOT currently ship to the following countries because insurance is impossible to obtain except to US military or diplomatic corps with APO/FPO addresses: Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola including Cabinda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chechnia, Congo, Cuba, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea - Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Papua/New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Osetia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Occasionally insurers add other countries. If I can’t obtain insurance, please understand that I reluctantly will have to cancel your order.

PayPal E-Checks: To keep buyer and seller protection plans intact, PayPal policy prohibits sellers from sending merchandise until they approve all e-checks so shipment will be delayed several days of you pay by e-check. If you want or need immediate shipment, then please use the credit or debit card option with PayPal.

Sales tax: Only Kansas residents must pay Kansas sales tax.

Returns: Sales are not made on an approval basis and you are expected to keep you what you’ve agreed to buy except for major misrepresentation or major defect. Ebay doesn’t refund final value fees to sellers on returns if the buyer didn’t pay with PayPal so this policy varies with specific circumstances. Ebay never refunds listing fees. Returns must be approved in advance and then return shipped insured within 7 business days of receipt at your expense, and the item you received from me must be returned in its original condition or full credit will not be given. Any damaged or altered items will not be accepted. You’ll receive a PayPal or other form of refund (depending on how you paid) for the item less my original actual shipping related charges. Items paid by an alternative payment method and returned will be subject to a restocking fee as ebay will not refund any seller fees on non PayPal transactions.

CORRECT Email Address: Your ISP’s or your email’s spam filter can and sometimes does prevent delivery of many emails. If you don’t hear from me, this is probably why so please don‘t think you’re being ignored because every purchase and payment is acknowledged. If you don’t hear from me, please check your spam/trash directory. Please make sure your current correct email address is registered with both ebay and PayPal to ensure good communications.

© Photos and product description: Photos and description are the intellectual property of this seller, are copyrighted, and you may not use, download, or reproduce them under any circumstances for any reason. Plagiarism (copying and using my text and photos) is illegal -- please respect and obey the plagiarism laws. Thank you.

Payment is expected within seven days of purchase unless you make other mutually agreed on arrangements.

Questions: Questions about this item only, please, from serious buyers only and NO questions that are answered in the product description. Most of the questions I receive have nothing to do with the item or are answered in the product description. I don't accept offers, do free appraisals, free research, put members in touch with artists, sell wholesale, or take custom orders so please don't email me about these issues, out of idle curiosity, or send questions not pertaining to this item. Rudely phrased questions, any offer, weight questions, and questions answered in the product description WILL NOT BE ANSWERED. Members submitting requests for additional discounts or offers may be permanently blocked. Please respect this.

Extra Photos: Please remember that people buy millions of dollars’ worth of products each month in this country from catalogues where generally there’s only one photograph and about three short descriptive lines. Sorry, no additional photos are available for this item.

Making Smart Buying Choices: I am a proud member of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association (IACA) whose members must pledge to sell authentic Native American art and represent it accurately. Only a very, very, very small ebay Native American jewelry sellers have been accepted for membership. If you care whether the jewelry you buy is authentic Native American, please click on the View Seller's Other Items link in the box at the top of the page at right. A substantial percentage of the jewelry offered as Native American is actually made in China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, Mexico, and elsewhere and then misrepresented as Navajo or Zuni. Two-thirds of all so-called Native American jewelry sold in this country is fake especially in this venue and on the TV shopping networks! Remember, choose wisely. Save for a while if necessary to buy the best pieces you can possibly afford. Don’t just spend money, invest it in good quality items that have possible future investment potential. It's against federal law to misrepresent foreign made jewelry as Native American. Protect this investment and assure the Native American authenticity of your purchases by requiring a Certificate of Authenticity.

Authenticity and Provenance: This is a brand new rather than a previously owned item, and a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing its Native American origin is included. The jewelry I sell isn’t stolen, and the artists and traders have been all paid so you needn’t worry about the police knocking on your door or any letters from attorneys. Everything but pawn sterling silver jewelry and stone necklaces are cleaned and polished with tarnish retardant polish before shipping so that it arrives looking sparkling clean and odor free.

U.S. Domestic Shipping: Same day FREE USPS Priority Mail shipping with 2-3 business day delivery, FREE USPS insurance, and FREE delivery or signature confirmation except weekends, holidays, buying trips, family emergencies, or severe weather from a non-smoker on receipt of payment before 3 pm Central Time on business days which ebay considers as Monday - Friday. USPS Express Mail with overnight delivery to most but not all locations available at cost -- price varies by item shape, size, and weight of your purchase(s) -- please email for a quote. I apologize for the following, the new ebay requirements make it necessary: You also agree to pay within the prescribed period of time and, in the event the parcel is lost or damaged, YOU UNCONDITIONALLY AGREE to fulfill USPS requirements or those of the private insurance carrier so that an insurance claim be filed. For USPS claims this includes presenting the box, contents, and damaged item(s) to the Post Office and then sending me a signed USPS claim form. On receipt of the USPS claim form or letter, your entire payment will be immediately refunded in full.

International Shipping: I ship using either USPS International First Class Mail or Express Mail International. Please remember that PayPal REQUIRES trackable shipping for international shipments, and the least expensive USPS trackable shipping method is Express Mail. Cost usually depends on parcel weight and destination so please request a price quote before purchase. A small handling fee will be charged for international orders International buyers UNCONDITIONALLY AGREE to send the insurance company a letter describing the loss or damage when you asked to. If you purchase this item, then you have agreed to a legally binding contract that includes all necessary assistance in filing an insurance claim. On receipt of the USPS claim form or letter, your entire payment will be immediately refunded in full.

International Custom Fees and Duties: Import duties, taxes, and any import fees are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering shipping company or post office -- please do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.

CURRENTLY EXCLUDED COUNTRIES: Sorry, I can NOT currently ship to the following countries because insurance is impossible to obtain except to US military or diplomatic corps with APO/FPO addresses: Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola including Cabinda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chechnia, Congo, Cuba, Czech Republic, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea - Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Papua/New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Osetia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Occasionally insurers add other countries. If I can’t obtain insurance, please understand that I reluctantly will have to cancel your order.

PayPal E-Checks: To keep buyer and seller protection plans intact, PayPal policy prohibits sellers from sending merchandise until they approve all e-checks so shipment will be delayed several days of you pay by e-check. If you want or need immediate shipment, then please use the credit or debit card option with PayPal.

Sales tax: Only Kansas residents must pay Kansas sales tax.

Returns: Sales are not made on an approval basis and you are expected to keep you what you’ve agreed to buy except for major misrepresentation or major defect. Ebay doesn’t refund final value fees to sellers on returns if the buyer didn’t pay with PayPal so this policy varies with specific circumstances. Ebay never refunds listing fees. Returns must be approved in advance and then return shipped insured within 7 business days of receipt at your expense, and the item you received from me must be returned in its original condition or full credit will not be given. Any damaged or altered items will not be accepted. You’ll receive a PayPal or other form of refund (depending on how you paid) for the item less my original actual shipping related charges. Items paid by an alternative payment method and returned will be subject to a restocking fee as ebay will not refund any seller fees on non PayPal transactions.

CORRECT Email Address: Your ISP’s or your email’s spam filter can and sometimes does prevent delivery of many emails. If you don’t hear from me, this is probably why so please don‘t think you’re being ignored because every purchase and payment is acknowledged. If you don’t hear from me, please check your spam/trash directory. Please make sure your current correct email address is registered with both ebay and PayPal to ensure good communications.

© Photos and product description: Photos and description are the intellectual property of this seller, are copyrighted, and you may not use, download, or reproduce them under any circumstances for any reason. Plagiarism (copying and using my text and photos) is illegal -- please respect and obey the plagiarism laws. Thank you.