Circa 1960's - Vintage Navajo - Kingman Turquoise Nugget / Sterling Bolo Tie with "Bennett C31" Clasp Adjuster- About 39" Well Loved !
Circa 1960's - Vintage Navajo - Kingman Turquoise Nugget / Sterling Bolo Tie with "Bennett C31" Clasp Adjuster- About 39" Well Loved !
BOLO PROVENANCE:
This understated Bolo tie came through my store by the son of the original owner. He inherited his father’s pieces that the father had collected since the 1950’s.The son was telling me that nobody in the family wanted these, nor would wear them, so that’s when he considered bringing them to me. The father etched his ID # on the back of each piece I purchased (See hallmark photo at end),which was very common for that time period.. Many times an owner would put their social security # or certain numbers that would identify the owner in case if anything were to happen, they could identify it.
THE BOLO:
Only a person who truly loves something they own so wholeheartedly and genuinely can then understand how that cherished possession can become worn down over time from being worn daily, while still being put to good use. I know we all have our favorite shoes, clothing items, favorite jewelry items, etc. and this bolo was obviously the father’s favorite bolos! If you zoom in on the bolo cord photos, you will see how the leather reached a point where it had become discolored. This doesn’t get that way from not being worn, but worn probably every single day!!
The bolo itself is designed in a trapezoid shape, where it’s wider at the top than the bottom and is slightly domed. The sterling work is an overlay, meaning that you have the base sheet that is left oxidized & which serves as the base for the cuts of turquoise to be bezel set atop of. The top layer of sterling has been cut out, which then give it, it’s slight shadowbox setting. The turquoise has maintained their color ,which denotes the turquoise being a higher grade.
THE BENNETT C 31 CLASP:
The “Bennett C31” clasp adjuster, gives away the time period as to when this was made. Bennett designed and manufactured the first locking bolo slide clip in the mid-1950s to mid-1960s.The "C-31" part of the stamp is thought to be a code or designation associated with that specific patent application. And even though the clasp came out in the 50’s, I personally put this bolo being made in the 60’s, based on the design of the bolo.
ARTIST: Unknown (Typical of era)
CIRCA: 1960’s
TRIBE: Navajo
METAL: Sterling Silver (Acid tested)
METAL FINISH: Natural darkened patina from time (I will send it as it is, since I don’t believe in polishing vintage
MATERIAL: Kingman Turquoise Nuggets
BOLO SIZE: 2.25” Long x 1-5/8” wide at the top-1-1/4” at the bottom
LEATHER : Brown
STRAP LENGTH: Measured 1 Side @ 19.50" then doubled that number for a length of about: 39" TOTAL--Measured laying vertically & then measured from top of strap to bottom of tips.
STRAP DIAMETER: About 3 mm Round
WEIGHT: 1.50 Ounces- 42.5 Grams
TIPS SIZE: 2” Long
CONDITION: Well Loved!- The strap is worn & discolored (but can be changed out) No cracks, chips, no missing stones,There is a slight bend on the Bennett clasp, (see photos 13,15) but does not effect it from keeping the bolo where you adjusted it to.
HALLMARK: None (Typical of Era)
Comes Gift Boxed
PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING
I do not consider myself a 'professional photographer" but I do try my hardest to give you photos that are 'realistic" in color, just so you're not shocked, nor disappointed when you get the item. But please realize that all monitors are different, so the materials can look brighter (or duller) from one computer to the next.
To provide you with close up photos providing you with all the fine detail, pictures tend to make the item look much larger & everything is more magnified than in actuality. .So to get an accurate idea of how big this is, please either check it out being worn to get a rough idea (photo 2 & 3) or you can pull out a tape measure & compare to my given measurements listed above.