Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chimu, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. This is a lovely collection of ancient silver and silver-copper alloy beads ranging from 64.2% to 91.66% silver! There are approximately 200 beads each in a hollow, spherical shape, made by flattened sheets then molded into two hemispheres and welded together. The first strand contains 80 beads and about 120 on the second strand and both are strung in modern times on cotton cords as wearable necklaces. Silver working is a two-thousand-year-old tradition in Peru and just like today, precious metals indicated special status. Both silver and gold were symbols of power and prestige worn exclusively by the elite, these silver beads rattle and tinkle softly announcing the wearer's esteemed presence. Both necklaces are wearable but could be restrung easily as one desired and are of an equal length. Size (strands doubled): 26" L (66 cm); (bead sizes): 0.375" Diameter (1 cm) to 0.2" Diameter (0.5 cm); silver quality: 64.2% to 91.66%; weight: 86.1 grams

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.

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#170418

Wearable as shown. Perforations, indentations, chips, and several halves of spheres that have come apart. Dark toning and areas of green patina. Strung in modern times on modern thread and could be restrung as one desired.