Philander Begay is a Navajo silversmith who works in the sandcast technique, hand-carving his molds from soft, porous limestone (learn more about Tufa) and casting molten silver in them to create one-of-a-kind bracelets, buckles, bolo ties and pendants. Like Gilbert Dino Garcia (who also uses very soft tufa for carving), Philander's cast pieces show exquisite detail. Philander carves his designs into both sides of his two-piece molds so that his pieces show a cast design on both surfaces. Each of his pieces is truly a one-of-a-kind work because the mold itself does not survive the casting process intact.

This round bolo pictures a bas relief rendering of Ram kachina with Douglas fir wreath around the neck. A narrow lip defines the edge of the bolo. This has a traditional double-loop silver slide on back for adjusting the length. The straps are six-ply black, braided cowhide and terminate in Sterling tips.

The hallmark appears as the cast initials "PBB" hand-carved into the mold on the back of the bolo.

Dimensions of Bolo: 2 1/8" diameter

Tips: length 2 1/8"

Length of Straps: 44"