Description:

Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 900 to 500 BCE. A collection of 40 ancient omphacite jade beads pecked and polished into substantial spherical forms and strung on a modern cord as a wearable necklace. The beads are arranged in a graduating order, the largest at the center, tapering to a modern gold-plated hook clasp. All are shaped into spherical profiles with a suspension hole drilled through the center. Jade was prized for his hard quality, shiny surface once polished, and the beautiful array of coloration - however the hardness meant that each bead here likely took hours of labor-intensive work! These beads are a pale beige and mottled brown hue with cooler hints of pale green. While deep green is generally the most celebrated hue of jade, these creamy omphacite beads are unusual and just as stunning! Size of strand doubled: 27" L (68.6 cm); largest bead: 1.14" L x 0.83" W (2.9 cm x 2.1 cm); weight: 635 grams

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010; ex-Arte Primitivo

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#173330

  • Condition: Beads are ancient, strung in modern times on a modern cord with a modern gold-plated clasp. Some surface wear to beads minor nicks and abrasions, otherwise intact and excellent. Wearable!

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October 27, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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