Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chimu culture, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. A fine necklace of wearable form that is constructed with 6 petite turquoise beads as well as 30 spherical beads and 5 conical spire mollusk shell beads made from 55.56% to 79% gold. Each of the spheres is of a hollow form with lustrous surfaces and visible seams, and the shell beads feature spiraling designs with miniscule nodules protruding along the exterior surfaces; each is hollow on the inside as well. The beads were pierced in antiquity and are strung on this attractive and minimalist necklace strand for wearability. Size (necklace): 16" L (40.6 cm); (largest gold shell bead): 0.43" W x 0.57" H (1.1 cm x 1.4 cm); gold quality: 55.56% to 79% (equivalent to 12K+ to 18K+)

Provenance: ex-Renton, Washington, USA collection, acquired before 2000; ex-Willis F. Woods family collection, former director at the Detroit Institute of Arts and Executive Director at the Seattle Art Museum (1974 - 1979)

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.

#169571

  • Condition: Wearable as shown and strung in modern times. Turquoise and gold beads are ancient; stringing and loop/clasp are modern. Minor abrasions and nicks to some beads, with light tarnishing to some gold beads, and softening to some finer details on some gold shell beads. Great patina throughout. Beads cannot be weighed properly without dismantling the entire composition.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 27, 2022 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000