Bolas Collection

Ostrich Hunt with Bolas
Three men pursue an ostrich across the pampas of South America, hoping to catch it with a bolas - a kind of weighted lasso

Native American gauchos lassoing and butchering cattle at one of the outdoor slaughterhouses in Buenos Aires
FLO4569034 Native American gauchos lassoing and butchering cattle at one of the outdoor slaughterhouses in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Native American gaucho on horseback using bolas or boleadoras to hunt ostrich on the pampas in South America
FLO4569025 Native American gaucho on horseback using bolas or boleadoras to hunt ostrich on the pampas in South America. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Theodore Goetz from Friedrich Johann

The Spanish-American Guachos [sic] catching wild horses, in the Falkland Islands, 1856. Creator: Harrison Weir
The Spanish-American Guachos [sic] catching wild horses, in the Falkland Islands, 1856. Depiction of...the mode in which the wild horses are caught in the Falkland Islands by the Spanish-American

SAME, BUT DIFERENTS
Olavo Azevedo

Hunting Guanacos with the Bolas, South America, 1877. Indigenous people using the bolas, (weighted ropes), to catch guanaco which are related to the llama and alpaca

Hunting with bolas (engraving)
7192421 Hunting with bolas (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hunting with bolas)

The Drawing Office, 3rd Floor IMechE. Later in c1936 the opposite end was partitioned off as an office. In 1951 the office was transferred to the door-end and re-partitioned. Date: 1936

Gauchos butchering cattle at a slaughterhouse
Native American gauchos lassoing and butchering cattle at one of the outdoor slaughterhouses in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs Bilderbuch

Native American gaucho on horseback using bolas or boleadoras to hunt ostrich on the pampas in South America. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by Theodore Goetz from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs

Goll mac Morna assaulting hell to rescue Fionn and the Fianna-Finn
3514721 Goll mac Morna assaulting hell to rescue Fionn and the Fianna-Finn, from The Little Brawl at Allen in Irish Fairy Tales by Rackham

Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them (engraving)
3643678 Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Strange weapons and stranger methods of using them)

Showing the probable way in which the Early Flint Weapons were used (engraving)
970852 Showing the probable way in which the Early Flint Weapons were used (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Sport and Travel in Patagonia (engraving)
1059862 Sport and Travel in Patagonia (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sport and Travel in Patagonia)

Native American gaucho from the region of Buenos-Ayres, Argentina
6339087 Native American gaucho from the region of Buenos-Ayres, Argentina by Belgian School, (19th century); (add.info.: Native American gaucho from the region of Buenos-Ayres, Argentina)

OSTRICH HUNT WITH BOLAS
Three men pursue an ostrich across the pampas of South America, hoping to catch it with a bolas - a kind of weighted lasso. Date: 1894

Throwing The Bolas, c1885, (1890). Artist: Robert Taylor Pritchett
Throwing The Bolas, c1885, (1890). From Journal of Researchers into the Natural History and Geology of the Countries Visited during the Voyage of H.M.S

Alfred Nobel Bolas
ALFRED NOBEL The Swedish manufacturer of gunpowder and prizegiver

Throwing The Bolas Engraving From Journal Of Researches By Charles Darwin Published By Nelson & Sons 1890

Picture No. 10889492
Rock Balls - prehistoric geological rocks at a place called Cancha de Bolas created by erosion - the material of the perfectly circular balls is much firmer than the original material the balls were

Bridge at Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Bridge (Puente de las Bolas) at Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, with the San Gabriel Castle on the left. Date: circa 1905

View of Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
View of Arrecife, capital of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, with bridge (Puente de las Bolas) and bandstand. Date: circa 1905

Gaucho Using Bolas
A gaucho uses the BOLAS which wraps round the animals legs preventing it from running, thus enabling the gaucho to control it Date: 1901

How Acheulean Man Captured His Prey
Hunting with the Bolas: How Acheulean Man Captured His Prey with a Stone-Age Weapon Still in Use To-Day - A reconstruction of a hunting scene in the stone age

Uruguay - Palenque Gaucho by J M Blanes
A Uruguayan Palenque Gaucho Date: circa 1902

Picture No. 10889493
Rock Balls - prehistoric geological rocks at a place called Cancha de Bolas created by erosion - the material of the perfectly circular balls is much firmer than the original material the balls were

Arabian horned creature, 16th century
Arabian horned creature. 16th-century artwork of a bolas being used on a horned animal ( pyrassouppi ). Described in a chapter on unicorns

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"Bolas: Ancient Hunting Weapon Unleashing the Power of Precision and Skill" Step back in time to witness the thrilling ostrich hunt with bolas, a formidable weapon that shaped South America's hunting traditions in 1877. As guanacos roamed freely across the vast landscapes, skilled hunters mastered the art of capturing these majestic creatures using nothing but their trusty bolas. Engraved into history is an awe-inspiring depiction of gauchos on horseback skillfully hurling their bolas towards fleeing prey, showcasing their unmatched agility and precision. These native American gauchos embodied bravery as they fearlessly pursued their targets, reminiscent of Goll mac Morna assaulting hell itself to rescue Fionn and his Fianna-Finn warriors. Venturing further into this captivating world, we uncover strange weapons and even stranger methods employed by resourceful hunters. The legend of true cross unfolds before our eyes as Heraclius triumphs over Chosroes while wielding his mighty bolas - a testament to the versatility and power hidden within these seemingly simple tools. Intriguingly, even beyond hunting expeditions, bolas found utility in various domains. From Argentina's bustling slaughterhouses where Gauchos expertly butchered cattle using this versatile weapon to Patagonia's sport and travel scenes where it proved indispensable for survival against nature's challenges. As we explore ancient engravings depicting early flint weapons being wielded with finesse, we gain insight into how these ingenious contraptions were utilized during fierce battles or daring hunts. The third-floor drawing office at IMechE serves as a testament to mankind's perpetual fascination with innovation throughout history. Immerse yourself in vibrant lithographs portraying herdsmen chasing rheas through the sprawling Pampas region – an exhilarating spectacle that showcases both man's ingenuity and nature’s grandeur colliding harmoniously. Bolas stand tall as more than just a hunting tool.