Boleadoras. Argentina. First half of the 20th century.

Set of small, three-ball boleadoras, with a delicate rope work. Each ball has a filling, probably lead, to give it more weight, and they are decorated with bullet caps, which also serve as protection for when they hit the ground when in use. Although we imagine them made to show off on a "Sunday" errand. The diameter of each ball is 3.3 to 3.5 cm (1.37 in). The leather ropes measure 72 cm / 28.34 in, and one of them (the handle?), 70 cm / 27.55 in. The set weighs 271 gr.

After consulting our network of friends -people on horseback and students of country customs-, after a very rich exchange of opinions, we believe that it is - as stated by Tito Saubidet in his book "Creole proverb" - of "boleadoras para hunt ostriches. Formerly they were two-ball, but today they are also boleado with three-ball boleadoras”; This is how Saubidet wrote it in the 1940s. One of our informants told us that this is how they are used in the North of Patagonia, in the Chubut plateaus, although he warns that this specimen, due to its fine touch, would be for luxury and not hunting , "Since it would be mischievous to use them in those tasks”.

As for rope work, of very good quality; The branches are twisted with two ties, and the balls are fastened with a flat braid that ends in a pin made with the same ties as the braid.

We appreciate the information provided by many friends and followers, who allowed us to develop this catalog by “listening” to their opinions, experiences and knowledge.

S.O.XIV-BLM