Concho Pawn Belt; Mexican or Indian ?

Jim McDougall · 23rd January 2017, 03:44 AM

Probably Navajo, and 'old pawn' refers to the very heavy silver in old Navajo work which was actually worn, then pawned for money generations ago. These symbols are probably bear, sun and rain symbols or variations thereof and copied intertribally in crafts.
There are reproductions of these kinds of belts, usually the authentic Morgan silver dollars were melted down for jewellery, and cast examples are known on many of these. The wear on these seems pretty compelling.

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23rd January 2017, 03:44 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,278	Probably Navajo, and 'old pawn' refers to the very heavy silver in old Navajo work which was actually worn, then pawned for money generations ago. These symbols are probably bear, sun and rain symbols or variations thereof and copied intertribally in crafts. There are reproductions of these kinds of belts, usually the authentic Morgan silver dollars were melted down for jewellery, and cast examples are known on many of these. The wear on these seems pretty compelling.