Located in Incline Village, NV
This is the Cadillac of the bolo tie as depicted by the Southwest Indians. Handcrafted by Navajo Indian Jim Yazz, circa 1960s, this silver bolo tie has four large irregular hand-cut turquoise stones measuring 3/4" and two smaller round stones set in a pie crust surround depicting eyes of the Indian. There are also two smaller stones on the front of the dress of the Indian on the matching pair of 1 3/4" drum like ornaments hanging beneath the main subject. The main subject Indian with six stones, is 3 5/8" high x 2 1/4" wide.
The drum like ornament with accompanying silver spear ornament is 4 1/2" overall. It is marked “Jim Yazz” who was a Navajo Indian jewelry maker and worked only in silver and turquoise, indicating it is probably silver. The piece is unmarked, albeit a “518” mark appears on the main figure.
The braided black leather "string like" necklace is 20" around, measured above the subject Indian.
The back of the bolo is embossed on the clasp "BENNETT PAT. PEND.", indicating the possible clasp patent of Navajo Indian silversmith, Raymond Bennett, who is listed in "Barton Wright's "Hallmarks of The Southwest".
The value is in the craftsmanship and aesthetics, not whether or not it’s silver.
Provenance: Clive Devenish Collection Art of the American West...
Category
American Native American Vintage 1960s Native American Objects
MaterialsTurquoise, Silver, Silver Plate