Description:

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Sinu, ca. 700 to 1400 CE. A stunning necklace comprised of dozens and dozens of round gold beads of rose, white, and yellow hues, three tubular gold beads arranged in a triangular formation with bulbous centers and openwork triangular motifs (beads ranging from 52% to 75% gold, equivalent to 12K+ to 18K gold), followed by a 56% gold bell pendant (equivalent to over 12K) cast via the lost wax (cire perdue) process with a rope patterned band between the conical upper body and rounded lower body. A beautiful piece of wearable art comprised of precious ancent goldwork created by the Sinu peoples. Size: 28.125" L (71.4 cm); (bell): 1.4" W x 1.8" H (3.6 cm x 4.6 cm); quality of gold: 56% to 75% (equivalent to 12K to 18K); total weight: 110.9 grams

Gold became the preferred material for creating fashionable ornaments in the Pre-Columbian world sometime after 500 CE replacing jadeite and other green stones from which artists had made impressive jewelry for centuries. Indeed the ancient cultures of the New World created countless gold ornaments and ceremonial objects. Unfortunately, however, the Spanish conquistadors melted nearly all of these to convert them to gold bars and coins for Spain. Given this, surviving genuine pre-Columbian gold is rare and highly coveted by collectors.

Provenance: ex private Los Angeles, California USA Collection, piece has been in the US since prior to 2000

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#156294

  • Condition: Strung in modern times and wearable as shown. Gold beads are ancient, and stringing, loop, and hook are modern. Minor abrasions and indentations to some beads, with nicks around some peripheries and bell slit, and light encrustations, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout. Bell still creates a jingling sound when jostled.

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July 9, 2020 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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