Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec to Proto-Maya culture, ca. 500 BCE to 300 CE. A stunning ensemble of 52 sizeable, hand-carved jade beads, all strung on a modern leather strand to be wearable. All displaying barrel and spherical forms, the beautiful beads boast rich hues of mint, seafoam, midnight, and forest greens, as well as celadon, shamrock, teal, and viridian. A gorgeous adornment that is sure to make all who see it green with envy! Size (necklace): 30.5" L (77.5 cm); (largest bead): 0.875" W x 0.7" H (2.2 cm x 1.8 cm)

Research in the late 1990s and early 2000s pinpointed the source of "Olmec blue" jadeite at being in the lowland Motagua River near the modern-day border of Guatemala and Honduras; stone from this source was carved and traded widely throughout early Mesoamerica. The value of jade for ancient people lay in its symbolic power: perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation; later, the Maya would place jade beads in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for jadeite contributed to the rise of long-distance trading networks and to the rise of urban centers in ancient Mesoamerica. This would have been an exceedingly valuable and rare ceremonial item.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection, before 2010

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#167060

Wearable as shown and strung in modern times. Jade beads are ancient, and leather necklace strand is modern. Professional repair to 6 beads, with nearly invisible adhesive residue along break lines; remaining beads are intact and excellent. All beads have light abrasions across surfaces, with some beads having light encrustations within drilled suspension holes. Fabulous surface smoothness and coloration throughout. Suspension holes have different widths, depths, and orientations on each bead, but all are consistent with ancient drilling techniques.