Quintana Cochiti Pueblo Silver Concha Belt [SOLD]

Exquisite Quintana Sterling Silver Concho Belt: A Unique and Expandable Treasure

This exquisite belt is adorned with 11 oval conchos, each meticulously crafted from sterling silver. The centerpiece of this accessory is a stunning sterling silver buckle, featuring repoussé edges that encircle a raised, small concho-style center, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Each concho is characterized by a domed center, which is elegantly outlined in a circle of intricately carved silver in a rope-style design. Adding to the charm, the platform of each concho is stamped around its full circumference with radiant sun-ray symbols, a testament to the attention to detail in its craftsmanship. The buckle, a masterpiece in itself, bears the stamp ‘JHQ'.

Typically, Quintana's concho belts feature 8 conchos. However, this particular piece stands out with its 11 conchos, not including the buckle. This unique feature allows for the belt to be easily adjusted to accommodate a longer leather belt, with the conchos spread out. This flexibility means the belt could be comfortably enlarged to fit a size 38, or even slightly longer, ensuring both style and comfort are uncompromised.

Cochiti Pueblo jewelry artist Joe Herrera Quintana was a very private person and, as a result, very little is known about his personal life, but he spent his adult life making jewelry for a number of stores and dealers. He worked for Gan's, Packard's, and Simpson's stores in Santa Fe, and for Maisel's and The Covered Wagon in Old Town Albuquerque.

Finally, he worked for Irma Bailey at Irma's Indian Arts & Pawn in Albuquerque from 1966 until she closed the shop in 1971. He then returned to Cochiti Pueblo where he continued making jewelry and drums and continued supplying Irma Bailey with jewelry. After he passed away, Bailey had a collection of over 600 items of Quintana's jewelry and silver works. In 2004, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe exhibited a large amount of this collection.

Joe Quintana (1915-1991) was the famous silversmith father of the also famous contemporary Cochiti Pueblo silversmith Cipriano Quintana, also known as Cippy Crazy Horse.

Condition: very good condition with minor scratches from prior use.

Provenance: this Quintana Cochiti Pueblo Silver Concha Belt is from the collection of a gallery client.

Recommended Reading: Joe H. Quintana Master in Metal: Selections from the Irma Bailey Collection, Museum of Indian Arts and Culture

TAGS: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Cochiti Pueblo, Cippy Crazy Horse,  Southwest Indian Jewelry, Joe Herrera Quintana