{"product_id":"agate-bolo","title":"Vintage Agate Bolo Tie James Shay Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Red Coral","description":"\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDescription \u0026amp; Materials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge, hand-forged sterling silver bolo tie featuring a dramatic banded agate cabochon at center, accented by turquoise and coral clusters in a classic Navajo layout. The silverwork displays precise file edging, chisel stamping, and a raised applique border, demonstrating the fine craftsmanship typical of most likely, James Shay.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCenter Stone: Natural banded agate, gray to brown with cream veining\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccents: Two turquoise cabochons (likely Kingman) and two red coral cabochons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilverwork: Heavy-gauge sterling, deep hand-stamped texturing, scalloped form, and distinct raised border\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCord \u0026amp; Tips: Brown braided leather cord with long, conical tips and hand-forged arrowhead dangles.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight: 109 grams total (with cord)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAgate measures 3\" tall X 2\" wide\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSl\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eide Size: Approximately  2 1\/2 \" × 1\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStamped with a partial “J” and 1\/2 \"S\" hallmark consistent in shape, depth, and placement with documented James Shay's silverwork from the 1980's The combination of hallmark style, construction technique, and arrowhead dangles strongly supports the Shay's attribution.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Shay (Navajo) was an active silversmith during the mid-to-late 20th century, known for his bold overlays, precise stampwork, and integration of contrasting stones such as agate, turquoise, and coral.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign \u0026amp; Symbolism\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis bolo’s banded agate centerpiece represents grounding and stability, while turquoise and coral symbolize sky and blood, embodying the balance of life and earth within Navajo cosmology. The arrowhead dangles are emblematic of protection, strength, and direction, a hallmark of Shay's spiritual motifs.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction \u0026amp; Technique\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHand-forged sterling silver base\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStone bezels hand-soldered and polished to high relief\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBennett-style clasp (mid-century tension type)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTextured and oxidized background for contrast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDomed concho body for dimensional presence\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExcellent vintage condition. Minor oxidation and light surface wear consistent with age. All stones secure. It appears the leather cord and arrowhead tips are tight and intact. No structural repairs or replacements noted. Slight cracks noted in the inside center of stone. Visable under my 10 X loupe. Possibly due to age and wear under normal use.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRestoration or Repolish Recommendation: None — natural patina enhances authenticity.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis piece exemplifies the refined, confident silversmithing of James Shay's era, merging natural stone elegance with classic Navajo form and cultural symbolism. The use of banded agate—rare among Navajo bolos—makes this example particularly distinctive and desirable among collectors of 20th-century Native American silverwork.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Shay — overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Shay is a Navajo silversmith known for traditional stamped sterling work and turquoise cluster pieces. He has been an active maker since about 1989 and is associated with the Lukachukai area of the Navajo Nation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"text-lg-strong pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:first-child)]:pt-3.5\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHallmark and identifying features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e     \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e          Style: traditional Navajo stampwork, heavy use of sterling silver, multi-stone turquoise clusters and cuff\/bracelet forms; workmanship emphasizes classic stamping and silver shaping rather than contemporary sculptural technique.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeel free to email with any questions or offers. Shopify offers payment plans. If you are out of the USA and are interested, email me your location and I will give you a shipping price.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWado!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e","brand":"Unega Yona Studios","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46793779609853,"sku":null,"price":525.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0765\/1911\/2957\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_f68a30a8-f976-4b9b-8afa-3cfdb1107282.jpg?v=1763939320","url":"https:\/\/whitebearturquoise.com\/products\/agate-bolo","provider":"White Bear Turquoise","version":"1.0","type":"link"}