The bola is a primitive hunting tool that were originally used by the Chinese, Eskimos and South American Indians. Bolas are a throwing device made of weights on the ends of interconnected cords, designed to capture animals by entangling their legs. They are most famously used by the South American gauchos. Gauchos used bolas to capture running cattle or game.

For detailed information about bolas from different cultures, please visit the flight-toys bola web page.

This bola is one of the more attractive bolas that you will find as an ethnographic sale item. The bola balls are made out of a cast hard polymer material that simulates ivory. You will find the same material used to make fake sperm whale teeth. The casting is excellent and there are no apparent seams. The embossed detail on the balls is excellent with scenes showing bola hunting and habitats in South America. Identical bolas that are advertised as being made out of real ivory are frequently sold at prices between $100 and $300. You can purchase this one for much less money and it is a very good item (see graphic below). Cord length = 87 -> 90 cm ; Ball diameters = 5 -> 6 cm ; Weight = 564 gm