Three Piece Frank Carrillo Laguna Pueblo Belt with Many Inlaid Gemstones [SOLD]

This multi-stone inlay belt is awe inspiring.  The artist, Frank Carrillo, is from Laguna Pueblo and well known for his magical work.  Adobe Gallery has had a very similar belt in the past, but Carrillo has surely outdone himself with this version.  The simplicity of function and overall design sits in balanced juxtaposition to the mesmerizing stone inlay work.   

Three similar pieces of sterling silver were first created.  Every piece features top and bottom framing sloping away from the channeled centerpiece. These border sections are ornamented with abstract silver geometrics.  The raised portions of these patterns are shining silver while the cutout sections behind are flat gray and mottled.  

The channeled center of each piece is certainly the star of this belt for they hold a magnificent rainbow of minerals and color.  Precious and luxurious stones have been expertly cut and formed into swirl patterns, triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids.  Rich lapis lazuli swirls around very high-quality matrixed turquoise, saturated red coral, bright orange spiny oyster, light pink and green shell, royal sugilite, dark malachite and shimmering pearl.  The colorful stones are also accented with intermittent strips of silver, making them shine even brighter.    

Each of the three pieces are linked in a way that allows for the central piece to be easily removed if the wearer would like to adjust the belt’s overall size.  They are effectively but simply threaded with the leather belt, which could be replaced with one of any length, as long as it is 1-¼” or narrower. 

Laguna Pueblo silversmith Frank Carrillo often represents his creativity and skill in colorful, well-crafted, and distinctively one-of-a-kind jewelry items.  He skillfully cuts gemstones such as turquoise, lapis, and spiny oyster shell, and creates colorful mosaics in his jewelry. Swirling water designs and geometric patterns, executed in silver overlay style often frame the gemstones.  Frank Carrillo signs his jewelry as F.C. LAGUNA and STERLING.

Condition: This Frank Carrillo belt is in pristine condition

Provenance: This Three Piece Frank Carrillo Laguna Pueblo Belt with Many Inlaid Gemstones is from a private New Mexico collection

Recommended Reading: SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN JEWELRY Crafting New Traditions by Dexter Cirillo