Description:

Northern Peru, Moche, ca. 200-700 CE with contemporary assembly. This necklace features magnificent metal craftsmanship. The Peruvians favored the hammering process, using stone hammers and anvils to fashion metal, a tradition that had been practiced since the inception of gold working in the second millennium BCE to the time of the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. On this piece, the copper ball pendant and other copper beads were created via this technique. The necklace also includes countless flat, round beads composed of shells and several larger bright coral-hued beads of Spondylus shell. Spondylus, commonly known as the thorny oyster, was highly prized by the ancient Peruvians and of great importance in their ritual and economic life. Found off the coast of Ecuador, the Spondylus was particularly cherished by Andean peoples. The indigenous combed the Pacific in their quest for the so-called "spiny oyster" prized for the blush hue of its interior. Spondylus shells symbolized fertility and power and played a major role during religious ceremonies oftentimes serving as an offering to Pachamama as well as a form of currency. Main necklace measures 32"L (34"L with pendant). Provenance: Ex-Gamba Collection All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Wearable

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April 16, 2014 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000