This trim, contemporary bolo tie is the work of Jack Tom. His father, a coal miner and a bricklayer, was also a medicine man (hataałi) who performed the Shooting Way ceremony, a healing ritual used to cure a range of illnesses associated with lightning, from paralysis to nervousness. Jack was struck by lightning in 1979 while working for the railroad in Park City, Iowa. His employer laid him off and so, jobless and injured, her returned home to his father who performed the Shooting Way to restore his son to hozhón (harmony/health)
The bola tie, which is 2.75 inches long, is set with natural turquoise from Nevada, spiny oyster shell, Wildhorse alabaster and fossilized walrus ivory. The tips exhibit his attention to detail. $2100 (SANTA FE)