Louisiana Collection                   

A splendid Chippewa gentleman who was a disabled veteran, operated a Native American jewelry store in Louisiana which he loved very much. He and his wife shopped in the southwest for their store. When he passed on, his wife, also a disabled veteran, didn't feel she would be able to operate the store alone and besides the memories of her dear husband were so entwined with the jewelry, she felt she needed to move on. After a few years, and with the help of a good girlfriend, she began going through the items in her storage locker and sending them to us to find new homes for.

All of these items are New Old Stock and some of them are vintage. This is quite a large collection which we will be listing for some time to come.

Bear is considered the most powerful of all of the animals and is one of the most popular subjects of fetish carvers. Bear is a spiritual guide and represents strength and self-knowledge. He has supernatural powers, great healing powers. Bear is a symbol deliberate action, introspection, soul and insight for the past and the future. The Bear is the guardian of the West an is one of the animals of the Six Directions.

What is a Bolo Tie?

A bolo tie, also called a “shoestring necklace” or simply a bola, can be thought of as a Western necktie. A bolo tie can range from an inexpensive “string tie” to an elaborate sterling silver and leather affair. Maybe your younger brother had one of those string ties that he wore with his cowboy hat and cap guns ??!!

A bolo has three parts:

• The cord that goes around the neck is called the lariat. It is traditionally braided from leather, and most commonly black leather. The lariat can also be made from woven cord, thus the term “string tie”.
  
  
• The ends of the lariat are finished off with tips. The tips can be made of sterling silver, copper or other metals. They can be machine made tips or hand made tips.
  
  
• And finally we get to the Pièce de résistance which means the focal point, the best part or feature, the artistic creation for which the other portions exist ! The slide. The slide is a decorative feature that, as its name indicates, slides up and down on the lariat. The slide can be worn up at the neck in the same position as a necktie knot (formal) or down lower for a more casual effect. Slides can vary as widely as the artist’s imagination and can utilize many materials.