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April |
11 |
Thu |
9-3 |
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Class Fee |
$90.00 + supplies |
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Prerequisites: |
Peyote |
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Skill Level: |
Intermediate/adv |
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Technique: |
Peyote |
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Description: |
Few
fashion jewelry statements are specific to a locale, but the
Native American bolo, or bola, tie is synopsis with the
Western United States, especially Arizona, Texas and New
Mexico. Mid 20th century bolo ties were designed and made by
Zuni, Hopi and Navajo silversmiths, and were at first,
basically a sliding component designed to keep a bandana
from coming off from around the neck.
Even though the
history of how the bolo tie came into being is clouded, many
feel that the history began with Victor E. Cedarstaff, a
Native American silversmith and leather worker who lived in
Wickenburg, Arizona in the 1940s. Cedarstaff was among some
cowboys that were chasing after some wild horses when
Cedarstaff's silver-bordered hatband slipped off, making him
lose his hat. He retraced his steps to find his hat and
hatband and slipped the hatband over his neck for
safekeeping.
Even though the history of how the bolo
tie came into being is clouded, many feel that the history
began with Victor E. Cedarstaff, a Native American
silversmith and leather worker who lived in Wickenburg,
Arizona in the 1940s. Cedarstaff was among some cowboys that
were chasing after some wild horses when Cedarstaff's
silver-bordered hatband slipped off, making him lose his
hat. He retraced his steps to find his hat and hatband and
slipped the hatband over his neck for safekeeping.
Cedarstaff decided to create a line of ties inspired by the
incident. He braided leather, placed silver tips on the ends
to keep them from fraying and then joined the strands with a
turquoise stone to be used as an adjustable clasp. He
applied for a patent, calling his creation the bola tie,
named after the boleadoras cords (a throwing weapon made of
round weights suspended from woven leather cording) worn by
Argentinean cowboys. This iconic style changed the course of
western wear!
Additions to the early designs included
inlaid turquoise and shell, making these early bolo ties
rare and beautiful. Today, Native American bolo ties utilize
almost any material that can be inlaid into sterling silver,
raising the bar for artistic license. |
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