Native American Turquoise, onyx, coral and mother of pearl inlayed Hopi Snake Dancer Bolo Tie by Zuni Artist Edward Beyuka ca. 1960

Description : A truly incredible Zuni-made, inlayed bolo tie representing the iconic the Hopi Snake Dancer. This amazing, vintage, piece was hand-crafted and signed by Zuni Pueblo artist Edward Beyuka (EAB) circa 1960. Beyuka (1920-2002) served in World War II, was captured by the Japanese, and survived the Bhutan Death March, before returning to school and eventually turning to jewelry making. Beyuka skillfully inlayed this dancer with horn, tortoise-shell, jet, mother of pearl, coral, turquoise, and abalone. The snake dancer, seen here with two silver intertwining serpents wrapping around and up the torso and into his mouth, as would be done in the traditional ceremony, measures 15cm at the longest points and 7cm at its widest. The bolo tie weighs 90.89 grams and has a braided black leather cord tipped with 2 hand crafted finials. The figural bolo features a bail so it can be worn as a pendant, in addition to being a show-stopping tie. The Snake Dance is a sacred ceremony dating back thousands of years to the Hopi tribe of northern Arizona. As part of the ceremony, Hopi believe that their intimacy and connection with snake species promotes rainfall and a fertile growing season upon the high desert. Snakes used in the ceremony are both venomous and non-venomous and are collected from each of the four directions and baptized to cleanse them. The snakes are said to carry the prayers of the people to the ancestor-spirits below.

Item Number : 6795-19

Category : BOLO

Brand : ZUNI EDWARD BEYUKA