Item TB144
This Item was Sold on 21 October
2008 for $60
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.
The bola 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.
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 a good example of a functional bola with
twisted, leather cords. Each of the balls has a solid
interior that is surrounded by a leather pouch. The leather
pouches are decorated with black and tan colored strips that
are woven into the perimeter of the balls. The three balls
are approximately the same size. The leather is softer than
what you normally find on the older bolas. This bola is
probably a good choice if you feel the need to actual throw
your bola instead of hanging it on the wall for display.
Cord length = 91 -> 96 cm ; Ball diameters = 5.0 ->
5.5 cm ; Weight = 536 gm