**Originally Listed At $500**

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A magnificent ensemble of over 100 hand-carved shell beads and 6 hand-knapped obsidian pectoral pendants/beads. Boasting mottled hues of white, cream, tan, and peach, all the shell beads present discoid bodies with central annular drill holes. Alternatively, each pectoral is rendered in a curved shape perhaps intended to conjure lunar crescents, with perforations at either end for suspension. They display lustrous surfaces in hues of black and dark brown. Size (of largest pectoral): 5.875" L x 4.125" W (14.9 cm x 10.5 cm); Size (of largest bead): 0.3" in diameter (0.8 cm); Size (of modern custom frame): 12.875" W x 18.75" H (32.7 cm x 47.6 cm)

Obsidian carvings were coveted offerings found in Colima tombs. Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was part of the shaft tomb tradition, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the deceased were interred in shafts, approximately 3 to 20 meters deep, that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with low ceilings. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and scholars posit that they were likely used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals.

Obsidian - "iztli" to them - fascinated the ancient Mesoamericans; the Aztecs even had a god, Tezcatlipoca, who was the Lord of the Smoking Obsidian Mirror; indeed, obsidian was used to create mirrors as well. Furthermore, in a world without metal, obsidian's ability to be sharp was also especially important for ceremonies of ritual bloodletting and human sacrifice. The difficult-to-obtain material came from volcanic sources in the Sierra Madre of Mexico and in Guatemala, was traded hundreds of miles to meet the demand for sharp cutting tools and ritual objects, and then was struck using a deer antler or small hammer stones to form blades and coveted forms like these.

Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s

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.

#162401

Has not been examined outside of frame. Repair and restoration to 5 pectorals, while remaining 1 (smallest) has chip with loss. Nicks to peripheries of all items commensurate with knapping process, with light abrasions and encrustations to faces. Expected surface wear to beads. Otherwise, excellent. Great surface smoothness throughout. Fit with modern wood and glass frame with metal wire on verso for suspension.