Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mayan territories, ca. 500 to 950 CE. A head turner indeed, this beautiful necklace is comprised of 106 jade beads of various shades of apple green, all hand-cut, polished, drilled and arranged in a sophisticated and balanced graduated design. Size: 25" L (63.5 cm); largest bead measures ~ .625" in diameter (1.6 cm)

Jade was revered by the Maya not only for its beauty, but also because it had spiritual power - it was believed to be the embodiment of the wind and the "breath" that formed the Maya soul. In addition, scholars argue that its color was associated with water and vegetation. While the Maya used jade beads to create impressive jewelry, we also know that they placed jade beads in the mouths of the dead, perhaps as a means of extending the circle of life. Furthermore, many scholars have argued that the demand for jadeite contributed to the rise of long distance trading networks as well as the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica.

Provenance: private R.D. collection, Long Beach, California, USA collection, acquired over 25 years from various major galleries

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#124360

  • Condition: One bead chipped on one side, a couple with nicks that were probably inherent to the original stone, all others are excellent.

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June 29, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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