Zuni Thunderbird Vintage "Old Pawn" Inlay Bolo Tie - Classic Design; Gasper Fam.

Description

In Brief:
Zuni Thunderbird design of a type that has been made for decades
We estimate that this one was made in the 1970s-early 80s
Classic black, white, turquoise and red coral color combination
The white mother-of-pearl is particularly lustrous, with a nice sense of "depth"
A mix of channel and mosaic inlay techniques
Inlay length is about 1 3/4 inches; width is about 1 1/8 inches
Tie is about 40 inches long, and leather is still supple and well polished
This bolo tie was already "old pawn" when we bought it around 1990. It had been only lightly used, and that is still the case because, while its modest size appealed to my husband's taste, in the end the colors were a bit too bright for his Kansan sensibilities! So 30 years later, the bolo is still in about the same excellent condition it was back then. The leather is still soft and supple, too. (Yes, leather--not vinyl!)
Not surprisingly for an older piece, it is not signed. Several families at Zuni make this particular style in some form, including the Gaspers, Edaakies and Dishtas. The differences are subtle, but my money is on the Gaspers for this one because I've seen some signed pieces that were made in this way, with the cutting and placement of stones just about identical to the arrangement here. This older piece has more silver on it than some: a longer row of twist wire than most, and four silver raindrops, which some silversmiths omit. And the silver has a nice vintage patina.
We estimate that this bolo was made sometime in the 1970s-early 80s, based on the turquoise, which appears to have been hardened, and the light wear. The black stone appears to be marble. It has a strong black color and a glassy surface. If the tie had been made earlier, it would have contained untreated turquoise and either jet or dark brown shell, and might have looked more worn. If it had been made later, it would most likely have been signed. And we know that it was made before 1990. Another noteworthy feature of this piece is the especially good mother-of-pearl, which has the appearance of "depth." Newer inlay pieces in this price range often have lower-grade shell. Two pieces of red coral add a great flash of color to the bird's shoulders. Note, too, that the tie has what appear to be the original tips, and that they are still in good condition, which is nice because their patina matches the silver on the inlaid part.
This bolo has plenty of the character you'd expect in a vintage piece, with neat, clean silversmithing and tightly fitted stones. The only noticeable wear is on the black part of the bird's breast, where it was held while opening and closing the clasp. There are some short, light scratches on the stone, but they can be seen only in bright, raking light. There's also some light tarnish on the back, which can easily be rubbed off with a polishing cloth, if desired. With its still-glossy and pliable leather, the tie is ready to wear. It's a great accent piece and would also be a wonderful gift for a fan of vintage Zuni jewelry.
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A
lso Important:
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Canyon Echoes Gallery is an eBay store that sells excellent Native American jewelry and fetish carvings and strives to provide equally good customer service. Now in our 25th year in business, we deal in
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American Indian goods, including new and vintage/antique items. Most come from either the artists themselves, reservation trading posts, or veteran dealers with impeccable credentials.
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