Amazing original 1930s Western belt featuring a jewelled buckle carved with Navajo whirling log motifs, arrows and diamonds. It also features very striking oversize bezel-set glass jewels and large rectangular chrome studs, alongside smaller studs and regular-sized jewels. The leather is a warm chestnut brown in colour, tooled or stamped with a detailed pattern.
The motif called the “Whirling Log” in Navajo culture is one of the oldest symbols to be depicted by human beings. The symbol has been recorded in rock and cave paintings from at least 6,000 years ago. In Navajo culture, the Whirling Log represents wellbeing, good luck, and protection. Navajo craftspeople officially stopped using this symbol during WWII, which helps to definitively date the belt to before this time.
This is an original vintage belt, not a reproduction.
The belt is marked size 28 but please see measurements below to ensure a good fit.
Measurements
Belt width 1 3/4"
Belt length from end to end (excluding buckle) 32.5"
Holes at 26 1/4" – 29 1/4"
Buckle width 2 1/8"
Buckle height 2 3/4"
Large jewels are 5/8" across and large studs are 3/4" across
Condition: overall excellent and appears barely worn. There are a couple of dark stains clustered in one area, and one group of studs in this section is heavily scratched as well. The rest of the studs and the jewels are in excellent condition. I've cleaned and conditioned the leather, and the belt is ready to wear.