Item A52
This Item was Sold on 15 October
2011 for $145
Similar artifacts for sale are often found on the South
American Artifacts web page.
Historical Pricing information for this item and similar artifacts can be found at: Historical Artifact Prices.
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This bola is a very fine example of a functional bola with braided leather cords. Each of the balls has a stone or solid sand interior that is surrounded by a leather pouch. The leather used to hold the balls is from the breast of the large flightless South American bird called the Rhea. This bola is strong enough to throw, but it would be better to hang it on the wall for display. I have personally owned this bola since 1986 and it was in the collection of Ben Ruhe from the Smithsonian for more than 10 years before I owned it, so this is an older bola and the construction is very fine. It is also in excellent condition. Cord length = 92 -> 100 cm ; Ball diameters = 4.8 -> 5.2 cm ; Weight = 478 gm The bola or boleadoras is a primitive hunting tool that was originally used by the Chinese, Eskimos and South American Indians. Bolas are a throwing device made out of weights that are attached to the ends of interconnected cords. Bolas are designed to capture animals by entangling their legs. They are most famously used by the South American gauchos to capture running cattle or game. For detailed information about bolas from different cultures, please visit the flight-toys bola web page. |
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