Concho Belt with Eagle Dancers by John Lucio

This Zuni Pueblo concho belt has six individual conchos and a buckle fabricated as Pueblo Eagle Dancers. There is a variety of gemstones in each Eagle Dancer-coral, jet, mother-of-pearl, turquoise, and abalone shell. This is an excellent channel inlay work example by talented artist John Lucio.

Each of the individual conchos is a remarkable feat of creativity and technical skill, and the larger buckle is even more impressive. The conchos and buckle are identical in composition, with variation appearing only within the materials that comprise each piece. With such a wide variety of gemstones appearing here, there is much in the way of depth and color. Most importantly, the individual elements work together beautifully in service of the whole. When looking at other published examples of Lucio's work, it is clear that Eagle Dancers like these were a preferred subject, and the artist's experience is evident in these beautifully made conchos and belt buckle. This example is not signed but attributed to John Lucio.

The conchos and buckle are displayed on a slim leather belt, which could be replaced with a longer leather belt if needed.

John Lucio (1919-ca.1990s) was a resident of Zuni Pueblo who specialized in intricate channel inlay Eagle Dancer jewelry; however, his career was as a Zuni firefighter with the U. S. Forest Service. Starting in the 1950s, he worked as a lapidary artist and silversmith when not involved in firefighting. He was represented in the C. G. Wallace collection. Wallace attributed pieces to him made as early as 1935.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Concho Belt with Eagle Dancers by John Lucio is from a collector from Texas who purchased it from Garland's in Sedona.

Reference: American Indian Jewelry I 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf