There’s no artisan hallmark on this old Navajo bolo tie but it is stamped “Sterling” in block type on the tail which is all but obscured by heavy age patina. The “Loop” design used as a lanyard guide often had to be replaced with a more modern clasp as the loops eventually wore out from use, and this is undoubtedly the case here. There are indications that the new guide has been soldered into place as well as remnants of the loop system being visible. The Hopi more often design pieces featuring turtle clan images, but this Navajo piece is quite rare and very old—I would date it to the late 1930s to mid 1940s. The unusually vibrant green turquoise stone is from either the Blue Diamond or Carico Lake mine and is an unusual representation regardless of which mine it came from; its slight, directional matrix gives it considerable depth. The stone measures .75” by .5” and is set in tiny serrated bezel and flawlessly incorporated into the bolo design. The hand stamped accents around the stone are deep, traditional in nature and feature chisel chased rays that vary in spacing and length. The artisan also textured the turtle’s limbs and tail with seemingly random scalloped chisel strikes. The turtle’s eyes are a great accent as they’re done with 2 raindrops, raising them above the design which brought them into skin and clothing contact when worn thus wearing off any patina that had built up on them. The oversized, handcrafted tips feature chisel chased “ray” designs—not stamped—that vary dramatically. The bolo measures 2.75” by 1.25” at it’s widest points, the lanyard is 36” long including the tips and the bolo weighs 31 grams. The bolo and tips are literally covered with heavy age patina giving it a fantastic old pawn look.The lanyard may have been replaced as it doesn’t show the age one would expect on an old Navajo pawn piece of this nature. This is a highly collectable, unusual and rare Navajo creation is in fantastic condition and worthy of placement in any important collection.
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