Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. An elegant single strand necklace boasting a lovely symmetrical composition comprised of red, orange, and cream mottled agate tubular beads along with a few greenstone beads, all with small disk spacer beads. Three small, 12 karat gold frogs and one tumi-shaped 12 karat gold bead add layers of iconography as well as stylistic interest to the piece. In the Pre-Columbian world, frogs symbolize rain, all the sustenance it provides to the earth, and by extension, fertility. Tumis originated in ancient Peruvian cultures. Larger ones were sometimes used to sacrifice llamas to the Sun. The Paracas people, also from the Andes, used the tumi for trepanation; it is unknown if the Moche did similar, but could have been done. The Inca of course were avid metalsmiths and cherished their tumis as well. In modern Peru, a tumi on the wall is a symbol of good luck. A special work of Pre-Columbian wearable art with wonderful provenance. Size: 27" L (68.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Jerrie Cobb collection, FL., acquired from Sotheby's, NYC, sale 6177, lot 265A, 5/14/1991.

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#115822

Some loss to two of the frogs legs, otherwise intact. Modern strung without a clasp.