Hi Jennifer,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Conchas are decorative metal medallions—typically made of silver, but also found in brass, copper, or other metals—that are attached to leather belts, hatbands, horse tack, bracelets, and other accessories. The word concha comes from the Spanish word for "shell," because the earliest examples were often shell-shaped.

Today, conchas are one of the most recognizable elements of Native American silversmithing, particularly in the traditions of the Navajo Nation, Zuni Tribe, and Hopi Tribe artisans.

The concha belt is actually the product of several cultural traditions coming together. Spanish colonists introduced decorative silver ornaments for horse gear into the Southwest during the 17th and 18th centuries Native peoples adopted and transformed these designs after learning silversmithing in the mid-1800s. Navajo silversmiths, in particular, developed concha belts into an art form, creating distinctive repoussé (hammered relief), stamping, engraving, and stone-setting techniques. By the late 19th century, concha belts had become symbols of wealth, craftsmanship, and cultural identity.

VMB is a known hallmark in Southwestern and Native American jewelry. It is generally attributed to Victor Moses Begay, a Navajo (Diné) silversmith who has been active since the 1950s. His hallmark is simply "VMB", usually stamped on the back of the buckle and/or conchas. While Victor Moses Begay may not be as widely recognized as some of the most famous Navajo silversmiths, his work is well regarded among collectors of authentic Native American jewelry. His belts are appreciated because they are handmade rather than mass-produced and are characterized for their traditional Navajo designs. Often made with substantial amounts of sterling silver, they are frequently set with natural turquoise.

His belts often come to auction and similar ones that have sold at auction lately have brought prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500; I would expect yours to sell within a similar range if you sold it through a reputable auction house that had sales in both jewelry and Native American artifacts, since this has cross-category appeal. It's worth pointing out that jewelers or Native American antiques dealers might ask higher prices for similar ones they are selling.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia