I have a possible Navajo concho belt bought from a thrift store many years ago, however I’m not sure if it’s authenticity. The tag is from Cameron Trading Post, with fourteen silver ornamental hooking links. Any information appreciated. Has no markings.
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Welcome to the forum @IndiginousTaino. The belt is machine stamped base metal. Probably nickel or nickel (white metal) plated. This is not a Native American or handmade belt.
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@IndigenousTaino Welcome! That’s a nice concho belt. There’s a Cameron Trading Post website online at: https://www.camerontradingpost.com. They currently have concho belts listed, though none exactly like yours. Just wondering if they’re the same business & could possibly provide info about your belt. Others on the forum may have helpful input.
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@mmrogers I wish I had seen your comment before I posted mine. Though, there is an active website for Cameron Trading Post (if it’s the same entity). Still may be worth checking out, maybe.
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Cameron Trading Post has a section with actual Native American made art, but also sells a lot of southwestern type pieces that are not native made. That may be what this belt is, and why it still has a Cameron Trading Post tag.
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If anything the belt is a bit nostalgic since it’s so much a part of the familiar genre of southwestern tourist merchandise now disappearing from the market along with the trading posts and “indian stores” where you could buy anything from authentic high end Indian jewelry to Mexican bullwhips, pine incense, and rubber tomahawks. Real Americana.
Hundreds of these stores used to line the highways from Arizona to Texas, and New Mexico to Montana. God bless the holdouts like Cameron Trading Post who keep the tradition alive!
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Welcome to the forums IndigenousTaino. Your belt is in very nice condition. We, the teens in our neighborhood wore these in the day and thought we were cool. Thanks for sharing.
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