Rare pre-1973 vintage Zuni multi stone channel inlay turtle bolo tie. The artist has created a likeness of a turtle using turquoise, mother of pearl, and tortoiseshell into a flush channel inlay layout. The artist has added silver feet or claws to finish the turtle and has attached a BENNETT PAT.PEND. C-31 locking bolo clasp on the back. The Bennett patent, which never was completed by the designer, was last made with the patent stamp in late 1960’s, but stock was carried over into the early 70’s. It comes attached to a soft black leather 4-ply cord with silver bead tipped end tips. The use of tortoiseshell was banned in 1973 and the large tortoise turtles, mainly the Hawksbill sea turtle, became listed under the Critically Endangered Species Act mainly due to the use of being adorned in high end items such as decorative boxes, hair combs, glasses, and of course jewelry. The use has been replaced with a synthetic plastic replication and is still seen in the above listed items today. This particular bolo falls under a grandfather clause since it was made prior to the ban.

The turtle measures 1 1/8” tall by 1 7/8” across with the 4-ply cord measuring 39” long which includes the 2” long sterling silver end tips. The end tips have dings and dents of which any collector would want all the original parts. We can replace them with a new set for extra money. Contact us if interested. The complete bolo tie weighs 22.8 grams and is unsigned sterling silver. Rare beautiful vintage pre-1973 Zuni turtle multi stone channel inlay bolo tie! $233.95