Moche & Chavin Shell, Turquoise, & Pyrite Bead Necklace
Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE; Moche, ca. 100 to 600 CE. A beautiful and wearable collection of dozens of shell and stone beads, all hand-carved and drilled by Pre-Columbian artisans, and strung in modern times as a necklace. Most of the beads are creamy white and pink Spondylus shells, shaped into a variety of disc, tear drop or triangular pendants, and seed beads. The strand is arranged with attention to balance and dispersed along the strand are petite pyrite, blue sodalite and green turquoise beads that add pops of cool colors and shimmering golden hues from pyrite stones. These beads are strung in modern times on a wire strand with a gold-plated lobster clasp, making this a wearable piece of ancient Peruvian history! Size (necklace): 33.5" L (85.1 cm); (largest bead): 1" L x 0.2" W (2.5 cm x 0.5 cm)
The Spondylus shell is native to coastal waters of South America and was considered sacred by many cultures. Mesoamerican divers gathered the Spondylus from the depths of the Pacific Ocean as offerings to Pachamama, goddess of fertility. At the Inca site, Marcahuamachuco, about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of spondylus shells and fragments were recovered at a shrine! The Spondylus carries numerous symbolic meanings; a symbol of fertility and elite social status, it was also believed to be an omen of rain, warning the indigenous people of El Nino. In fact, the Spondylus shell only appears when the water becomes warmer during December - the time of the El Nino Current - immediately before the rainy season.
Provenance: private Arcadia, California, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#162082
Condition Report: Nicks and natural ossification to shell beads and stones, but intact and good condition. Strung in modern times on a modern wire with a modern clasp and wearable.
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Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE; Moche, ca. 100 to 600 CE. A beautiful and wearable collection of dozens of shell and stone beads, all hand-carved and drilled by Pre-Columbian artisans, and strung in modern times as a necklace. Most of the beads are creamy white and pink Spondylus shells, shaped into a variety of disc, tear drop or triangular pendants, and seed beads. The strand is arranged with attention to balance and dispersed along the strand are petite pyrite, blue sodalite and green turquoise beads that add pops of cool colors and shimmering golden hues from pyrite stones. These beads are strung in modern times on a wire strand with a gold-plated lobster clasp, making this a wearable piece of ancient Peruvian history! Size (necklace): 33.5" L (85.1 cm); (largest bead): 1" L x 0.2" W (2.5 cm x 0.5 cm)
The Spondylus shell is native to coastal waters of South America and was considered sacred by many cultures. Mesoamerican divers gathered the Spondylus from the depths of the Pacific Ocean as offerings to Pachamama, goddess of fertility. At the Inca site, Marcahuamachuco, about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of spondylus shells and fragments were recovered at a shrine! The Spondylus carries numerous symbolic meanings; a symbol of fertility and elite social status, it was also believed to be an omen of rain, warning the indigenous people of El Nino. In fact, the Spondylus shell only appears when the water becomes warmer during December - the time of the El Nino Current - immediately before the rainy season.
Provenance: private Arcadia, California, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#162082
Condition Report: Nicks and natural ossification to shell beads and stones, but intact and good condition. Strung in modern times on a modern wire with a modern clasp and wearable.
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