KIRK SMITH Navajo TURQUOISE +COLOR Silver CONCHO BELT

THEY ARE THE REAL DEAL - JUST LIKE US!

FAMOUS NAVAJO ARTIST – KIRK SMITH!

HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE – HIGHLY SOUGHT!

STERLING SILVER CONCHO BELT WITH

ALL NATURAL GEMSTONES

NATURAL TURQUOISE, CORAL, CARNELIAN, MOTHER of PEARL, ONYX, PINK CORAL, TIGER EYE, MALACHITE,
ORANGE SPINY OYSTER SHELL, LAPIS LAZULI,
PINK MUSSEL SHELL, GASPEITE

OLD PAWN STYLE STERLING

FAMOUS ARTIST– ONE OF A KIND!

This Concho Belt was made by KIRK SMITH, NAVAJO. We used to call him a rising star, but that was a dozen years ago, now he is a top echelon star! Kirk’s work is in the permanent collection of the famous HEARD MUSEUM, which means he has made it!

Kirk’s work is of the Traditional Revival style which he helped to pioneer under the tutelage of his former brother-in-law, HARRY MORGAN. Harry gained national fame when he did the silver work for Steve McQueen’s motorcycle and more recently, he did the Sterling Silver decorations for Robert Redford’s horse in the Horse Whisperer. Kirk’s sister is Betty Joe; his nephew is Greg Pat; his cousin is Herman Smith; his best friend is Terry Martinez. The boy is Navajo jewelry Royalty! And he is also a master of his craft who has paid his dues!

For many years Kirk has used Harry’s secret formula to achieve a matte finish associated with Old Pawn Style, no called Traditional Revival. This is the first belt he has made with a high polish finish. If you specifically collect unique Kirk Smith pieces, this is one for your collection! If you just love the Old Pawn look, you will love this with all the best fashion from Double D Ranchwear, which has often featured Kirk’s work in their ad photos.

Kirk does not live in Crownpoint, New Mexico, but his mother, who is recently deceased, did live there. Actually as of our most recent conversation, Kirk does not want the public to know where he lives, so some internet merchants are rather out of the loop! There is more current information about Kirk towards the end of this description. All are natural, untreated Turquoise.

This Concho Belt was professionally tested as Sterling Silver.

Just in case you ever get this question in Trivial Pursuits, the first multi-gem concho belt that Kirk ever made was due to intense nagging over an extended period from old Mrs. Dog here....he says he has never regretted finally listening to me - ah, that all men were so wise!

CONCHO BELT SPECIFICS

BUCKLE WIDTH: 4 inches horizontally.

BUCKLE HEIGHT: 3 inches.

NUMBER OF CONCHOS: 5 (NINE).

CONCHO WIDTH: 3-1/2 inches.

CONCHO HEIGHT: 3 inches.

CONCHO THICKNESS: 3/4 inch, including gem heigth!

NUMBER OF BOWS : 6 (SIX).

BUTTERFLY or BOW WIDTH: 2 inch.

BUTTERFLY or BOW HEIGHT: 2-1/2 inches.

LEATHER WIDTH: 1 inch.

LEATHER LENGTH : 55 inches.

LEATHER COLOR : BLACK.

CONCHO BELT WEIGHT: 664 GRAMS, nearly 1-1/2 POUNDS!

NUMBER OF STERLING PIECES : 12 (TWELVE).

ALL STERLING SILVER!

ALL NATURAL GEMSTONES: BLUE, GREEN & SPIDERWEB TURQUOISE, ONYX, CORAL, MALACHITE, PINK CORAL, LAPIS LAZULI, GASPEITE, ORANGE SPINY OYSTER SHELL, & MOTHER of PEARL.

CONDITION : NEW, PERFECT, NEVER WORN.

ARTIST SIGNED: KIRK SMITH, in script lettering.

Each and every piece of this belt was hand made by Kirk. All of his work is done by Tufa Casting; he carves his own Tufa stone. The first step is for Kirk to carve the mold for the bracelet in Tufa Stone. Tufa is a natural rock formed from ancient volcanic ash that has become rock over millions of years and that is found on tribal lands in New Mexico. Then the molten Sterling Silver is poured into this prepared mold and allowed to cool. At that point it can be shaped to form the bracelet, hand stamped, bezels and decorations applied, and gemstones set. He not only stamps each piece from the front, but he also stamps and domes from the back which is called the Repousse technique.

There are pure COPPER straps across the back of each concho and bow to hold them securely in place on the belt. Copper has traditionally been used for this purpose because it is softer than Sterling and can be gently pushed in down to hold the concho in place while on the belt, exactly where YOU want it to be. This allows you to move the concho should the item of clothing you are wearing require that you pull them closer together or spread apart, depending on the waistline (or hipline) of the garment. This allows you the greatest degree of comfort and versatility, as well as enjoyment of this belt for generations to come!

Kirk had the leather for this belt custom made by a Navajo gentleman who uses this specific color, which is a cross between Oxblood and Brown, exclusively for Kirk. I have spoken with this gentleman on the subject and can confirm this claim of exclusivity.

In a store, you would expect the seller of a Concho Belt to punch the holes. But since we can not fit the belt to you personally, we advise that you take it to your local shoe shop or leather goods store where they can put the number of holes you wish in the exact locations that are most comfortable for you.

Each Concho and Bow is backed and framed by more of this leather which is also attached. Just so you don’t think they are glued on or something. Kirk doesn’t do anything unless it’s the best and most proper! These frames are not only attractive, but his original idea was to protect your clothing too!

The Belt of this Concho Belt has a STERLING HALLMARK for your protection and is artist signed in script lettering , KIRK SMITH, NAVAJO .

Certificate of Authenticity and Provenance: This museum quality artwork is entirely new and will receive the utmost care in shipping to you and will arrive cleaned, polished, and well packed in layers of bubble wrap and crisp white tissue paper. It will be accompanied my official Certificate Authenticity and simple care and cleaning suggestions. Your unique Certificate of Authenticity will document the Native American artist by name and tribal affiliation and gemstone materials used (including only Sterling Silver), to establish and help you maintain accurate records of provenance.

TEXT & PHOTOS COPYRIGHT by howlingdogtrader; all rights reserved.

RETURN POLICY: NO QUESTIONS ASKED! ANY REASON!

Return within 7 days of receipt, 100% refund of purchase price (not shipping) if paid with Paypal. If not paid with Paypal, restocking fee of 6% because eBay will not refund its final value fees. (Sorry, ebay rules; not ours!) Must be returned in same condition as sent. Cost of return shipping and insurance is responsibility of purchaser.