Burton's Gems and Opals
Zuni | Artist Virgil & Shirley Benn | Wolf Head Inlay Bolo Tie | Sterling Silver
Zuni | Artist Virgil & Shirley Benn | Wolf Head Inlay Bolo Tie | Sterling Silver
Couldn't load pickup availability
A Bit About The Piece:
Intricately inlaid and carved Zuni Wolf Head bolo with natural stones in sterling silver. Artists signature, Virgil and Shirley Benn, engraved on back.
Details, details...
The Stones: Mother of Pearl and Jet
Wolf Head:
-
9 pieces of Mother of Pearl
- 6 pieces of Jet
The Piece: Handmade Stone Inlay Bolo Tie
- .925 sterling silver, solid (bolo and rope caps)
- "V & S Benn" engraved on back
- steel slide on back
- leatherette braided cord
- length of cord including ends: 38 inches (19" hanging length in photo)
- bolo dimensions: 50.01mm (1.96") length x 86.86mm (3.41") x 4.26mm (0.16") thick
- total weight including cord: 59.17 grams
About The Artists
Husband and wife team, Virgil (b. 1935) and Shirley (b. 1936) Benn collaborate to create Zuni-style inlay jewelry. Virgil is of Zuni and Paiute heritage, while Shirley is of Hopi-Tewa decent and is the great-granddaughter of the famous Hopi potter, Nampeyo.
Virgil and Shirley Benn have received several major awards for their creations and they are listed in Barton Wright's book, Hallmarks of the Southwest. Virgil and Shirley Benn are famous for their use of silver and semi-precious stones to create lifelike images of animals and Native American figures in their Zuni jewelry.
Wear Report
Bolo polish shows light wear with some very faint surface scratches and a few tiny chips may be present. Please see photos.
Collapsible content
About Turquoise
What once was regarded a common byproduct of copper mining is now realized to be a rather scarce gem. Typically found in or near copper mines around the world, turquoise from each locality differs in color, quality, character, and rarity. Certain mines are known for producing highly valuable material in very limited quantity. Inclusions of other copper-bearing minerals such as azurite, malachite, and chrysocolla are not uncommon.
Turquoise ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Because this is often not suitable for everyday wear, most turquoise on the market is hardened (or "stabilized") with electricity and/or polymer. Stabilization is viewed as an accepted, regular practice in the lapidary industry and is not to be confused with "dying" material. Dyed (or artificially colored) material is not viewed as favorably among dealers and collectors. It is very important to be careful when cleaning your turquoise jewelry. Turquoise is a porous stone that can absorb any harsh chemical used. Avoid putting your turquoise jewelry in chemical jewelry cleaners, and be sure to focus only on cleaning the metal around your stone.
Shipping, Handling, & Inventory
Your order will be processed and shipped within 4 business days. All shipments are insured by the United States Postal Service, and most orders of $500 or more will require signature confirmation upon delivery.
While we work hard to present our online customers with accurate inventory availability, we reserve the right to cancel and refund a sale if the item is sold somewhere else first.
Wanna Closer Look?
We are always happy to provide additional photos and videos any time. Just shoot us a quick message, and we'll get back to you. Don't be shy!
Ask a Question
Item: Zuni | Artist Virgil & Shirley Benn | Wolf Head Inlay Bolo Tie | Sterling Silver