3 Native American Navajo Concho Hand Stamped and 50 similar items

Native American Navajo Concho Domed Button Covers Hand Stamped Silver Button Soldered Shank Sold as a set of 3 covers Unisex The covers feature a domed sunburst design that is a popular Native American motif. These sets were often sold at Native American Indian Outposts, they look like small conchos. The top is sterling silver and soldered on to stainless backs. Most likely handcrafted by a Navajo silversmith. The Button Covers fit securely over any standard button. Simply open the base, slide over the button and clip into place. A pair could be used as cuff links. Unmarked but tested as sterling silver. In the mid 1800?s, a few Navajo began to learn the art of silversmithing from Mexican plateros. Early silver beads and buttons were made from coins. Later when silver and sterling silver were more available, buttons were made from ingots and sheet silver. Early buttons from about 1870 were round, flat and with two holes like conventional buttons. Plain domed silver buttons were made soon thereafter. Buttons were originally for fastening garments but soon became more ornamental and even were used as a trade item. With access to more diverse tools in the late 1800s and early 1900s, hand-made buttons were domed, filed, etched, fluted, stamped and a loop would be forge-soldered onto the back. Measures about 5/8 long and wide Very good to excellent condition