“War Chiefs” Concho Belt

Sterling silver and fossilized ivory scrimshaw concho belt titled, “War Chiefs”, created collaboratively by Navajo artists Edison Piaso (silverwork) and Liz Whitethorne (scrimshaw). Made in 1993, this belt features a curated group of historic Native leaders rendered in finely engraved portrait panels. The belt presents images of Chief Joseph, Dull Knife, Medicine Crow, Washakie, Quanah Parker, Sitting Bull, Barboncito, Geronimo, Lone Wolf, and Chief Gall. Each portrait is individually scrimshawed into fossilized ivory and mounted in hand-fabricated sterling silver bezels with traditional Navajo stamp work, with a larger, elaborately framed central panel forming the buckle. The reverse of the buckle is stamped “Sterling” and marked E. Piaso, and the scrimshaw panels are signed by L.W.Thorne. Mounted on a black suede leather strap with sterling silver sliders and hardware, the belt shows age-appropriate wear, natural silver patina, and expected leather wear, consistent with a vintage Navajo collaborative work of this type and quality.

Buckle Dimensions: 4.25” Width, 2.5” Height
Concho Dimensions: 2.5” Width, 1.5” Height
Maximum Belt Length: 44” (Holes Punched 40” - 44”)