Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Chimu / Inca, ca. 800 to 1550 CE. A collection of over 60 high quality 95.2% to 96.4% silver beads with a quartz spacer bead and a pottery spindle whorl at the center. The beads are strung in modern times with a barrel clasp as a wearable necklace. Silver was associated with the moon, nighttime, and the watery underworld that was analogous to the depths of the ocean, and silver was also symbolic of the main Chimu deity Pacasmayo, the moon god. If strung loosely together, these silver beads would have tinkled, softly announcing the wearer's esteemed presence. The pottery whorl once fit onto a spindle to maintain or at times increase the speed of the spinning. In addition to this utilitarian purpose, they could be quite aesthetically pleasing and worn like beads. Size of strand: 22" L (55.9 cm); whorl bead: 0.75" L x 0.75" W (1.9 cm x 1.9 cm); silver quality: 95.2% to 96.4%; weight: 59.1 grams

Provenance: ex-Pepe Schaefer collection, La Quinta, California, USA, gifted in 1984 by Bosta Seminarao , Santa Rosa, California, USA, imported into the US 1955 or earlier

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#178253

Dark patina and toning to silver. Small chip to spindle whorl, otherwise intact. Strung in modern times on a modern wire with a barrel clasp. Wearable.