This is an antique set of bolas or boleadoras - a hunting tool or weapon.
They have three twisted rawhide ropes - one is becoming detached from the point where they join.
They have three lizard skin covered lead weights. The skin one one weight has split and been glued in place.
This set is for display only, it is too old and fragile to be thrown.
They came from South America. Similar arrangements of throwing stones and ropes were originally used by the indigenous people, but after the arrival of the Spanish they were adopted by the gauchos. They were used for hunting and herding – the balls would be swung around to gain speed and then released, wrapping themselves around the quarry animal’s legs. Charles Darwin's journal of his journey on the Beagle has an account of his attempts to throw bolas - and the resulting amusement of his guides.
This set has three braided rawhide ropes which hold three rawhide covered weights (two large and one small)
