Vintage Signed Gra-Wun Ray Graves Jewelry Road Runner Pewter Bolo Tie

Description

Take your Western look / collection to a new level with this
Vintage Signed Gra-Wun Ray Graves Jewelry Road Runner Pewter Bolo Tie
.
This striking Bolo tie is designed by the renowned jeweler
Ray Graves
under his brand
Gra-Wun
. His Native American / Southwestern themed work was very popular in the 60’s & 70’s and was sold in high-end stores and worn by celebrities. This bolo tie is from that era. His jewelry is rare to come by. He had a fascinating life that I have tried to summarize at the end of this listing.
The tie features a
1.75” X 0.9” Pewter Road Runner Charm
. The bolo tie rope is
braided black leather
with silver tone metal tips to prevent fraying.
Overall a very attractive classically Southwestern design that can be worn by both men and women. Can be easily worn at Formal and Smart Casual occasions.
Condition is
Excellent, barely used if at all
. The Pewter Road Runner charm is in great shape with no deep scratches or scuffs. It does have mild tarnish given its age but that can easily be polished. The rope looks unused with no fraying or color loss.
This collectible vintage Road Runner bolo tie from a renowned jeweler will make a notable addition to your western wardrobe or vintage collection.
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About Ray Graves
Ray Graves, who was born in Pennsylvania, studied at New York State’s Albright Art School beginning in 1948 after serving as a decorated B17 bomber pilot during World War II. He began crafting jewelry in the 1950s.
He and his wife Elsje moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1959 to establish his workshop in the acclaimed Lloyd Kiva Art Center. He used the name Gra-Wun for his shop, which combined letters from his last name with those of an early partner, Berta Wunderlich, who had previously left the business. He used the name both for his shop and as the mark on his jewelry throughout his career.
Graves was known for his versatility as an artist. He derived inspiration for his jewelry and decorative accessories from the Modernist movement as well as the Native American influences and Southwestern landscape that surrounded him in Arizona. His work was quite popular, especially during the 1960s and ‘70s. He won awards for his designs, and they sold in high-end department stores and worn by celebrities.
Gra-Wun stayed open through 2001. Graves died in 2015.