Signed Roy Talahaftewa Hopi Sterling Silver Overlay Bolo Tie

Hopi artist, Roy Talahaftewa, a renowned master silversmith from the Second Mesa Village of Shungopvi, began his career in the mid-1970s, crafting a traditional, symmetrical look of jewelry. By the late 1980s, he had pioneered a recognizable contemporary signature style, which was defined by irregular, jagged borders and dynamic geometric shapes. Traditional Hopi jewelry uses strictly silver, but his use of geometric-cut stones, such as the ones in this bolo tie, became massively popular among high-end Southwestern master artists starting in the 1990s. This bolo tie exemplifies precision silversmithing. Due to his meticulous craftsmanship, he only produces 30-40 sterling, turquoise, and lapis pieces per year. This is a very special piece. The rough and sandy-textured casting visible on the side border is created via tufa-casting (pouring molten silver into a hand-carved volcanic tufa stone mold). This texture became a core hallmark of his mid-to-late career award-winning pieces. This collectible piece of art is stamped with his traditional maker's mark of a waterbug with a circle around it. The leather, including the silver caps, is in excellent condition and shows very little wear. Fine art and fine jewelry. Approximately 44" and 69g.