Rare! Zuni Frank Vacit Rainbird Bolo Inlay Into Silver "Book Piece" 1950s-60s

Description

Welcome!
WHAT IS GREAT ABOUT IT: The rainbird design is well documented, and this identical design is attributed to two different early master artists, so I can't say positively that Frank Vacit made it but it seems more likely to be Frank Vacit than that it's Dan Simplicio who is the alternative artist. Both are true greats who worked for CG Wallace, and were represented in the Sotheby's auction catalog. I do not find it credible that they shared a complex design like this and believe only one person used the design. I'm going with Frank Vacit as the more likely. This piece, inlaid into sterling silver, is difficult to do and very lovely. The scalloped sides of the bolo are distinctive and beautiful. I added a new leather tie and very old tips, of the period. The exact design of this piece is depicted on front and back covers and three pages of one book where it's valued at up to 00. Of course, I'm pricing it for much less! Frank Vacit was one of the very best master Zuni artists whose work is represented in books, museums, and the best of galleries. This bolo is a rare and wonderful prize!
CONDITION: Excellent vintage, wearable and collectible. There's some age related wear to the inlay, not a problem of any kind.
MEASUREMENTS:
• 1-1/2" H x 1-3/8" W
• tips 1-3/4" H
• weight 18grams, without the tie and tips
• the tie with the tips end to end is about 37"
• unsigned but strongly attributed to Frank Vacit, Zuni
• unmarked for metal content but it's guaranteed to be sterling silver .925
• the inlay into sterling silver consists of natural turquoise, jet and red abalone
• I replaced the tie and tips with old tips which are the right size, height and age for this bolo
SUMMARY: This piece is a famous design of a rainbird, which was borrowed from more ancient pottery and represents the clouds bringing rain storms to the Zuni Pueblo. The Zuni ask for rain in their dances and the rain represents visits from the ancestors to the Pueblo. The design of this one is fabulous and this is an especially gorgeous piece which I'm pricing, for now, well below the documented value. This is a spectacular, rare, bolo by one of the greatest Zuni artists.
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