Belt 19th-20th century

This belt, crafted by Cippy Quintana, features a series of circular silver conchas set against a dark leather strap. The concha, or shell, is an ancient symbol of pilgrimage, rebirth and protection across cultures. Here, the circles evoke the sun, a potent symbol in many indigenous cultures, representing life, energy, and the cyclical nature of existence. In ancient Greece, the sun god Helios was depicted with a radiant crown, each ray a point of power and influence. Over time, the solar motif transformed, appearing in various guises from the halo in Christian iconography, signifying divine grace, to the elaborate sunburst designs of Renaissance art. The circular form resonates with the ouroboros, the snake eating its tail, symbolizing eternity and renewal. This belt embodies a connection to ancient beliefs, yet adapts it to personal adornment. It is a small but profound meditation on time, memory, and transformation.