Zuni Pueblo Beautiful High-Grade Turquoise Cluster Bolo Tie [SOLD]

It is sometimes difficult to tell whether cluster work jewelry was made by a Zuni artist or a Diné artist. However, since the custom of working with smaller pieces of stone was originally a Zuni style, we are attributing this amazing bola tie as having been made at Zuni.  Zunis have been known for millennia as the finest lapidary artists, their skill with working with stone predates the arrival of the Europeans.

The beauty of the gem grade turquoise in this piece is breathtaking. The depth of color and quality of the turquoise are exceptional. An unknown lapidary artist skillfully cut multiple pieces of high grade turquoise and set them in handmade saw-tooth bezels. The medallion includes three rows of stones separated by small lines of twisted wire. The outer edge is framed by a series of silver drops. The tips are comprised of a center of three stones surrounded by twisted wire that was then framed in a circle of turquoise. This bola dates from the 1940s or 50s and the craftsmanship is stunning. It is a piece that is both modern and traditional at the same time.

In the United States bolo ties are widely associated with Western wear, and are common in the western areas of the country. New Mexico passed a non-binding measure to designate the bolo as the state's official neckwear in 1987. The State Legislature adopted the bolo tie as the official State Tie on March 13, 2007. Wikipedia

Condition: this Zuni Pueblo Beautiful High-Grade Turquoise Cluster Bolo Tie is in very good condition. The stones are intact and secure in the bezels. The leather is slightly worn, but still in good shape.

Provenance: from a Maryland Southwest Indian Jewelry collection

Recommended Reading: Navajo and Pueblo Silversmiths by John Adair

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Jewelry, Zuni Pueblo, Navajo Nation - Diné, bola tie