1957-1967 EDDIE BEYUKA Zuni ROADRUNNER BOLO TIE Sterling Silver w/Fancy Tips!

Description

Eddie Beyuka (1920- December 21, 2002)
Zuni Sterling Silver Roadrunner Bolo Tie
Masterful Work!
Braided Black Leather Bolo Cord, Fancy Sterling Silver Bolo Tips
Roadrunner Pendant Dimensions - 2.1" X 1"
Sterling Silver Tips 2.25" length - Lanyard length is 18.5" X 2 = 37"
25 grams = .80Troy ounces
(all measurement are approximate)
The lanyard has just been treated with a leather dressing to clean it and keep it supple.
The Eddie Beyuka Zuni "Roadrunner" Bolo Tie
This wonderful Bolo Tie was made by the famous Zuni artist Eddie Beyuka in the 1950's-1960's. He was born in 1920 and began producing jewelry in the mid 1950's. He is perhaps most famous for his figural bolo pieces of Kachinas and ceremonial Dancers done in channel inlay. His son Jonathan and former wife Madeline continue the family tradition and are also masterful artists that have work featured in many high end galleries and collections. Eddie Beyuka's jewelry may be found in the major Native Jewelry catalogs and reference books. A few are listed below.
Description
This Bolo was made by a master Zuni Silversmith! It is attributable to Eddie Beyuka due to its age, distinctive style, and the artistry of design and construction. As far as bolos go, it is an "Early Piece" (see the below information on "The History of the Bolo").
It seems that a lot of the early jewelry made by Beyuka not signed. In fact most of the Native jewelry of this time frame is not. It is guaranteed to be Sterling Silver and authentic. The Fancy Bolo Tips are also Sterling Silver and are in  good contition. I have found no defects like badly cracked or loose stones (see condition comments on the Stone imperfections), noticable scratches, etc. in the pendant and tips. One of the tips is a bit "tippy". The bolo has the warm tarnished patina of half a century of kind ownership.The braided black leather cord is in good condition and shows only light evidence of wear. The old Bennett C-31 "clasp" is fine. I've been blessed to have two or three Roadrunners run around my back yard chasing lizards. They love to look at their own reflections in the sliding glass doors and make a honking sound. What fun! This is a wonderful compact example of the skills of Eddie Beyuka...I believe you will be pleased!
This amazing Bolo Tie is full of character and will be commented on by many people when you wear it. They
may compliment you and your taste in Zuni Jewelry.
The "BOLO" Story and Myths
According to Wikipedia - Silversmith Victor Cedarstaff of Wickenburg, Arizona claims to have invented the bolo tie in the late 1940's and later patented his slide design.
According to and article in "Sunset Magazine" (April 2002) - Victor Cedarstaff was riding his horse one day and his hat blew off. Wary of losing the silver-trimmed hatband, he slipped it around his neck. His companion joked, "That is a nice-looking tie you're wearing, Vic."  An idea incubated, and Cedarstaff soon fashioned the first bola tie. (the name derived from bola, "boleadora", and Argantine lariat).
It is also said that similar creation has been around since about 1886-1888 that was devised by North American pioneers. There is one on display in the Zuni community that dates from that time.
As an Arizonan, I have heard for years that the bolo tie first became popular in about 1948. At that time there was a radio station in Wickenburg, Arizona that was promoting the bolo as a fashion statement for cowboys. It caught on and was adopted by ranchers. Soon, celebrities, politicians, musicains, and the movie set were sporting them. In the early 1950's they became the official neckware fo the State of Arizona and then an iternational sensation in the 1980's. Partner, this is a fad from the frontier town of Wickenburg that has caught on!
Roadrunners (from Wikipedia)
"The
Hopi
and other
Pueblo
tribes believed that roadrunners were medicine birds and could protect against evil spirits. Their unusual X-shaped footprints are used as sacred symbols to ward off evil in many Pueblo tribes—partially because they invoke the protective power of the roadrunners themselves, and partially because the X shape of the tracks conceals which direction the bird is headed (thus throwing malignant spirits off track.) Stylized roadrunner tracks have been found in the rock art of ancestral Southwestern tribes like the Anasazi
. Roadrunner feathers were traditionally used to decorate Pueblo cradle boards as spiritual protection for the baby."
Thanks!
Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...
Recomended Reference Books - This artist is referenced if there is a page # shown below
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I" - Gregory Schaaf - page 84
"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L" - Gregory Schaaf - page 103
"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST"- Barton Wright - page 33
"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER" - Billie Hougart - page 61
"ZUNI JEWELRY" - Theda and Michael Bassman - page 36
***"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE VOLUMES 1-3"- Barbara & Ed Bell
KNIFEWING AND RAINBOW MAN IN ZUNI JEWELRY" - Toshi Sei
(Inventory reference only, "b-121")