Pre-Columbian, Guerrero to Maya periods, ca. 300 BCE to 800 CE. This is a modern strung collection of greenstone and red shell beads. The value of greenstone for ancient people lay in its symbolic power: perhaps its color was associated with water and vegetation; later, the Maya would place greenstone beads in the mouths of the dead. Many scholars have argued that the demand for these kinds of stone 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 piece of ceremonial art. The red shells provide a nice contrast and the piece is highly wearable. Size: 27" L x 0.75" W (68.6 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Private Denver, CO collection, acquired at Arte Primitivo

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#113977

Modern string; beads have expected signs of age wear.