20th C. Mexican Wedding Necklace Papier Mache Birds

Latin America, Mexico / Guatemala, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a delightful and wearable vintage wedding-style necklace made from silver plated copper and papier mache birds. The necklace is composed of two separate strands of chain links formed of twisted and coiled wires alternating with hollow spherical balls with wire loops. The lower half is adorned with the bird charms, each hand painted in vibrant hues, representing a variety of species that can be found in the forests of central America: colorful parrots, macaws, finches, toucans, and hummingbirds! Wedding necklaces were worn by women in the mountains between Mexico and Guatemala to mark the beginning of her engagement. Friends and family would give her charms to add to the chain as symbol of luck and prosperity! Size of strand doubled: 32" L (81.3 cm); largest bird: 1" L x 0.5" W (2.5 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: private Lake City, Colorado, USA collection, acquired in 2021

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#164812
Condition Report: Some bending and indentations to wires and copper spheres. Light areas of darker toning. Birds are intact and vibrant. Wearable!