Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Bolo tie
Date: c. 1960
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Overall: 11.3 x 6.4 cm (4 7/16 x 2 1/2 in.)
Overall1: 47 cm (18 1/2 in.)
Medium: tortoiseshell | white mussel shell | pink mussel shell | mother of pearl | jet | turquoise | coral | spiny oyster | silver | leather
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.1989-7-184
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The artist for this piece is unknown, but Mr. Seowtewa and Mr. Enote suggested Mary Morgan as a possible artist. Though the channel work is typical of Zuni jewelry work, the subject matter is not something most Zuni artists would depict because it is a Diné spiritual being. According to Collections Assistant Sylvanus Paul (Diné), the figure appears to be a Yei figure, not a Yei-Bi-Chei (spelling?). Yeis are spiritual beings, while Yei-Bi-Cheis are dancers who represent the Yeis in ceremonies. Yeis are depicted in the elongated form seen in this bolo. The materials used are silver, white mussel shell, jet, tortoiseshell, tuquiose, gold lip, mother of pearl, and pink mussel shell. The torso of the figure’s body is made with the pink mussel shell.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Santa Fe Indian Market
- Pg. 75
- Fig. N/A
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.