Bolo Ties - From Tall Hats to Tall Tales

Bolos have inspired me for years; they were a favorite of both my father and grandfather and bring back wonderful memories of holidays, parties and special events when I was young.


The word bolo tie is thought to have come from the word boleadoras or bolas. Bolas are hunting weapons that have been made and used by South Americans. They are constructed of rope or cord with a ball attached to each end. It’s easy to see why they would compare the silver tips of the bolo tie.


The most commonly told story on the origin of the bolo tie is that of Victor Cedarstaff. Victor lived in Wickenburg, Arizona in the 1940’s and like many people of the time would ride his horse for both business and fun. On one particular day, Victor decided to wear one of his dressier hats, decked out with a particularly nice sterling silver hatband. While Victor and his friends were riding through the countryside, the wind picked up and blew Victor’s hat off his head and it almost made it to Utah! After that he decided to remove the hatband and wear it around his neck; better to loose the hat, than the hat and hatband. Victor’s friends made jokes about his choice of neckties, but he decided he actually liked it. Shortly after that, Victor fashioned the very first bolo tie. Victor began to craft and sell bolo ties and though the story of him creating the bolo tie may not be an historical fact, it is truly entertaining.


One contradiction to this information can be found at the Zuni Trading Post, on the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico. They have a bolo tie, which is described as having been crafted in the late 1800’s; several decades before Victor was even born.


No matter what the story, the bolo tie has become a part of out culture and has taken on numerous styles - fancy sterling silver as well as other metals and all kinds of stones, and of course, my favorite, turquoise.
There is definitely a connection between bolo ties and turquoise jewelry. As bolo ties became popular in the 1950’s and 1960’s, jewelry artists in the southwest began to create bolo ties using the jewelry styles they already practiced; including squash clusters, Zuni sunfaces and animals. Today, bolo ties are created in every style imaginable. The tips and metal work can be as simple or as complicated as the artist’s talent and imagination allow.


Check out the beautiful collection of bolo ties that we carry here at Indian River Gallery!


- Debi Cantrell