Vintage Navajo Silver Storyteller Belt by Wilbur Wauneka

About a year ago, I received the most enchanting vintage Navajo silver belt by Wilbur Wauneka. His great belts are rare, and I didn't expect that I would ever have another one to offer you. 

Fortunately, this one appeared, and I fell in love a second time with one of Wilbur Wauneka's silver concho belts.

This one is smaller, yet still so meaningful. It's a one-of-a-kind, handmade Navajo storyteller belt. Each wonderful oval concho is different and depicts a vivid scene from traditional Navajo life. 

Here are descriptions of the nine silver overlay conchos plus buckle:

1. The charming buckle shows a loving couple walking hand in hand wearing classic Navajo attire under the shadow of a red sandstone monument. (You'll see this monument appears in almost every concho marking the significance of place).
2. 1st concho is an adorable and important sheep, fluffy and fat, ready for sheering, and grazing near the same large monument.
3. 2nd concho depicts two Navajo men participating in the sacred practice of drumming which represents the heartbeat of the earth and its people.
4. 3rd concho is a Navajo man driving a horse-drawn wagon over the rough terrain of the Navajo Nation
5. 4th concho - After her sheep have been shorn, a Navajo woman (in her own concho belt) sits at her loom under the shade of a nearby tree and uses the wool to weave a large rug.
6. 5th concho is a depiction of a Navajo silversmith sitting at his bench creating a jewelry masterpiece.
7. Corn is life and its luscious stalks appear in the 6th concho. Interestingly, the stalks are shaped almost like an elegant waterbird.
8. 7th concho is a bronco bustin' cowboy wearing his own concho belt. Did you know that rodeo is a way of life on the Navajo Nation?
9. 8th concho is a beautiful landscape
10. 9th concho shows the traditional hogan home and the wagon for transport

Each of these conchos would be marvelous buckles, but all together, they tell a touching story of Navajo life and culture.

These special stories are each told on a silver canvas that measures 2 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" high.

This is purposeful artwork that you can wear to show your deep love and appreciation for Navajo art and culture! It'll fit through the belt loops of your jeans, but it also looks fab with a black dress or a colorful skirt. 

As I emphasized with the other Wilbur Wauneka belt that I had, this is one you'll hand down as a family heirloom. It's the type jewelry that children and grandchildren will find wondrous. There's no end to the stories that imaginations big and small can envision with it.

The belt strap is handmade of leather, and it measures 42" long x 1 1/4" wide. It currently fits waists size 35", 36" and 37", but new holes can be punched to be larger or smaller. Each concho is attached with copper slides in the traditional manner. Hallmarked on the buckle.

• Vintage Navajo Silver Storyteller Belt
• By Wilbur Wauneka
• 9 Conchos and 1 Buckle
• Each is a different scene from Navajo life and culture
• Conchos are 2 1/4" wide x 1 1/4" high.
• Leather Belt strap is 42" x 1 1/4"
• Signed on reverse