OLD signed FRANK PATANIA Saguaro Cactus BOLO Sterling Silver TURQUOISE & CORAL

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OLD signed FRANK PATANIA Saguaro Cactus BOLO Sterling Silver TURQUOISE & CORAL :
$614.00

Frank Patania (1900-1964)

Thunderbird Shop

Sterling Silver, Coral, and Kingman Mine Turquoise

Saguaro Cactus Bolo Tie

BlackBraidedLeather Bolo Cord

Dimensions

Pendant

2.35\" X 1.74\"

1957-1967 Bennett C-31 Clasp

Fancy Old Sterling Silver Tips

2.22\" length

Black LeatherLanyard length

19.5\" X 2 = 39\"

Total weight - 44.2 grams = 1.42 Troy ounces

(all measurement are approximate)

The US Quarter (.95\"=24mm) and $100 Bill (2 5/8\"=66mm) X (6 1/8\"=155mm)are for scale

TheFrank Patania Saguaro Cactus Bolo Tie

This wonderfulSterlingSilver, Coral, and Kingman Mine Turquoise Bolo Tie was madein the famous Frank Patania Thunderbird Shop. It is properly hallmarked and stamped with the \"FP\" Hallmark, and with \"STERLING\". Because this does have the \"FP\" Hallmark without the oval background, (first used in the early 1940\'s), we know that it was made some time ago. It is the \"C-31\" bolo clasp that was produced by Bennett Co. from 1957-1957 that gives us the best hint as to its age...at least we can assume that it was not made before 1957. As far as Hallmarks and dating, please See the Link* Below.

Whatintriguesand amuses me about this Bolo is the whimsical theme. Arizona became Patania\'s final home. He loved it and this has all the great themes of the State of Arizona and the Sonoran Desert that he cherished so much. You have two Turquoise from a mine in Kingman, Arizona, and two Coral as well. The Saguaro Cactus is iconic as an official State symbol as is the Twisted Wire Lariat or Lasso made of the State Mineral Copper. Perhaps your have heard of Arizona being famous for Cattle, Cotton, Copper, and Citrus...or was it Cactus? If the Southwestern part of your heart beats strongly, this may be the one for you.

I trade a lot of bolos and many Frank Patania jewelry pieces. This Saguaro Bolo is a fun one and a real treat in that respect. Get ready to explain to your curious new friends how to spell \"S-A-G-U-A-R-O\". They do not actually grow limbs until they are over a half a century old...like this one. Will they believe you when you tell them that a Saguaro is actually a tree?

A Note about Patania and Thunderbird Shop Hallmarks

Frank Patania Jr. has been living in Tucson, Arizona with his wife Donna for many years. I visited with them recently and Frank was kind enough to take the time to share his portfolio of pictureswith me.It contained picturesofmajor pieces of jewelry, and everything from religious articles, to contemporary bead work. I also saw recent jewelry creations that ranged from aprimitive tufa castring (that just happened to fit me perfectly) to a ring that would be quite cherished by the head ofstate of Vatican City!

Frank kindly took the time to clear up some misunderstandings thatI have shared with other members of thejewelry collecting community. Donna and Frank encouraged me to spend some time becoming familiar with an article Frank Jr. wrote in August of 1992 in collaboration with other Patania family members in an effort to set the record straight on the use of various Hallmarks by his family. He assuredme today thatit is, \"Subject to revision in the future\" but is the best source that there is, or asFrank says in the article, \"I believe that we are the most qualified to present the history of our hallmarks\". Here is the link to an informative and entertainingstory written by Frank Patania Jr.

*A History of the Patania and ThunderbirdShop Hallmarks

Frank Patania Sr.

It is believed that Patania was born in 1899 or 1900 in Mesina, Italy. He came to New York about 20 years later and became infected with Turbererculosis in his early 20\'s and then moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico for the perceivedtherapeuticEnvironment of the dryer Southwest. In 1927, he opened his \"Thunderbird Curios Shop\" that later became the famous \"Thunderbird Shop\". He ran it with his wife Aurora. They had three children.

As a jewelry designer, his move to Santa Fe was quite dramatic for him. Billie Hougart stated, \"...Patania established a style of handcrafted Southwest American jewelry by blending European silversmith technology with Native American design, a combination that would provide a foundation for excellence in style and artisanship.\"

In 1937 a second \"Thunderbird Shop\" was opened in Tucson, Arizona. In 1964 Frank Patiania Sr. died and the Santa Fe shop closed. It was reopened by his son Frank Patania Jr. in 1968. Frank Patania Jr. had a son named Sam in 1959 and he still lives in Tucson. All three Patania\'s works are on permanent display at the Smithsonian\'s Renwick Gallery and are well represented in many collections. Franks Patania\'s work was a favorite of Georgia O\'Keefe, for instance.I\'m proud to live in Tucson myself and enjoy the FrankPataniatraditionas carried on by Frank Jr., Michael Contreras, Carlos Diaz, and Sam Patania.

With such now famous and influential artists as Charles Begay, Joe H. Quintana, Julian Lavato, Alberto Contreras, Mark Chee, Jimmy Herald, Lewis Lomayestewa, and others working for and with him, I can only imaginea creative Environmentthat would not be found elsewhere in modern times. My personal opinion is that the influence of this American-Italian Master on 20th CenturyNative American jewelryis as profound andimpact fullas that of anyone.

Many look at the influences of such artists as Charles Lolomaand Kenneth Begay and their role in the direction of contemporary jewelry. It was Frank Patania that made the craft anddesign disciplines a part of Native American contemporary jewelry and brought it to a world-wide audience that is stillreceptive to innovation and art.

The \"BOLO\" Story and Myths

According to Wikipedia -Silversmith Victor Cedarstaff of Wickenburg, Arizona claims to have invented the bolo tie in the late 1940\'s and later patented his slide design.

According to and article in \"Sunset Magazine\" (April 2002) - Victor Cedarstaff was riding his horse one day and his hat blew off. Wary of losing the silver-trimmed hatband, he slipped it around his neck. His companion joked, \"That is a nice-looking tie you\'re wearing, Vic.\" An idea incubated, and Cedarstaff soon fashioned the first bola tie. (the name derived from bola, \"boleadora\", andArgentinelariat).

It is also said that similarcreation has been around since about 1886-1888 that was devised by North American pioneers. There is one on display in the Zuni community that dates from that time.

As an Arizonan, I haveheard for years that the bolo tie first became popular in about 1948. At that time there was a radio station in Wickenburg, Arizona that was promoting the bolo as a fashion statement for cowboys. It caught on and was adopted by ranchers. Soon, celebrities, politicians, musicians, and the movie set were sporting them. In the early 1950\'s they became the officialneck warefo the State of Arizona and then an international sensation in the 1980\'s. Partner, this is a fad from the frontier town of Wickenburg that has caught on!

I have found no defects like noticeable scratches, etc. in the Bolo Pendant\'s Sterling Silver or Turquoise.It has awarm tarnish. The Tips and Black Leather Bolo Cord are also in very good condition.. I believe that you will be pleased!

This amazing Bolo isfull of character and the distinctive Patania style may berecognized by many people. When you take a look at the pictures, please inspect the bolo carefully for the fine detail in both design and execution. Your friendsmay compliment you and your taste inFrank Patania jewelry.

If you appreciate Frank Patania Thunderbird Shopjewelry like I do, you may enjoy viewing the other Patania items that I have for sale in my store...

Thanks!

Shipping anywhere in the USA is included, insurance is also included, of course...

RecommendedReference Books - Thisartist isreferenced if there is a page # shown below

\"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY I\" - Gregory Schaff

\"AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY II: A-L\" - Gregory Schaaf

\"HALLMARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST\"- Barton Wright - page 131

\"THE LITTLE BOOK OF SOUTHWESTERN SILVER\" -Billie Hougart - page261

\"ZUNI THE ART AND THE PEOPLE\"- Bell- Volume 1-3

reference only FP36