David Dear “SilverFly” Sterling Silver Concho Belt [SOLD]

Ten sterling “SilverFly'' conchas and a larger buckle comprise this iconic David Dear concha belt. The word “concha” is Spanish for shell. The name was first given to the round, disk-shaped ornaments Native artists began making and wearing on belts at the end of the nineteenth century. The word now refers to the decorative elements on a belt. The name “SilverFly'' is what the belt is called on David Dear’s website. The silver elements on this belt are an abstract adaptation of the butterflies found on traditional Diné concha belts. 

David Dear is a New Mexico silversmith who has been creating custom pieces of jewelry in his studio near Espanola for more than 20 years. His jewelry is inspired by Native American and Art Deco designs. This belt is one of his more popular designs, a series of stylized sterling silver butterflies, or “SilverFlies” carefully rendered and set on a black leather belt. 

It was purchased by Marvin and Betty Rubin from Santa Fe East Gallery in 1987. The belt has Dear’s hallmark with a copyright symbol as well as the numbers 30/175 indicating it was number 30 in a series of 175. It is stamped .925 specifying the silver content of the belt.  Sterling Silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5 by weight of silver and 7.5 by weight of other metals, usually copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of .925.

Condition: the belt is in very good condition. The conchas are in excellent condition, the leather shows wear consistent with use. 

Provenance: this David Dear "SilverFly" Sterling Silver Concho Belt is from the estate of Marvin and Betty Rubin

Recommended Reading: Skystone and Silver: The Collector’s Book of Southwest Indian Jewelry by Carl Rosnek

TAGS: Jewelry, David Dear, Western Jewelry Artist