What is a piteado belt?
Piteado is an artisan technique where pita or ixtle (thread made from the fiber of the century plant) is embroidered onto leather in decorative patterns. The technique is used to make belts, sandals, hair bands, saddles, and other leather accessories. Hand embroidering a belt requires about 48 hours of labor.
What are Mexican belts called?
The word concho, sometimes spelled concha, comes from the Spanish word meaning shell. Some of the first “conchos” were made of melted silver dollars and resembled a shell—it is commonly thought this is how the name came about.
Where are cintos piteados made?
MEXICO
Black Bull Design Cinto Piteado All of our products are made in MEXICO by professional artisans that have been doing this work passionately for years.
What is pita in oaxaca?
Pita: The Silk of the Pineapple Leaf. It is the fiber produced from the pineapple leaf after it is pounded, smashed, torn into long strips, soaked and washed, dried, then used for weaving, crocheting and embroidery. It has the look, texture, and strength of silk.
What is a Navajo concho belt?
The classic concho belt (named for concha, the Spanish for shell) was first created by Navajo silversmiths inspired by silver items from other cultures – most likely from Spanish buckles and German silver hair plate decorations traded by Europeans to Plains peoples.
How many Conchos are in a belt?
Name belts look especially nice with a concho added to each side of the name. Most popular placement of conchos for belts uses 4 or 6 conchos placed six inches apart across backside of belt.
What is a silver concha?
The earliest conchas were silver dollars (coin silver) that were hammered, then stamped and edged, then slotted and strung together on a piece of leather. Eventually, copper loops were added to the back of the conchas so that they could be slipped onto a leather belt.
How do you wear an obi belt?
Place the centre of the obi around your back and then wrap the ends right around your body until they cross over at your back. Then, tie a double-knot or a loop knot to hold it in place. This is a great technique to use if you are wearing an obi belt with a kimono.
What is the purpose of Conchos?
Conchos come from the Mexican vaquero tradition and serve both a decorative and a utilitarian role on western saddles. Conchos are metal disks, traditionally with two slits to allow saddle strings to pass through and secure the saddle’s skirts to the saddle tree.