Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A work of wearable art, this necklace is comprised of 22 finely carved shell frog beads and 7 carved stone bird beads with dozens of blue-green stone disc-shaped spacer beads. The natural colors of the shell and stone beads - the frogs presenting creamy beige and rose hues; the birds presenting golden orange and wine red hues; and the sage and turquoise hues of the greenstone spacer beads - complement one another beautifully. A lovely piece replete with powerful symbolic value, for in the Pre-Columbian world, the frog (rana) was associated with rain, the sustenance that it brings, and fertility while birds as sky animals were regarded as messengers between humankind and the deities of the celestial realm. Size: necklace measures 20" L (50.8 cm); frogs ~ .75" W x .875" H (1.9 cm x 2.2 cm); largest bird beads ~ .25" W x .875" H (0.6 cm x 2.2 cm)

Provenance: private Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired before 1995

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#130576

  • Condition: Beads are ancient and show expected wear - minute nicks and abraded areas - commensurate with age. One of the red bird stone beads is missing its head; others are intact save minute nicks to peripheries. Strung in modern times with modern sterling silver chain and clasp. Stand in photo is for display purposes only and not included.

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December 3, 2020 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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