**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, ca. 1 to 500 CE. A beautiful jade and greenstone beaded necklace with a white quartz owl pendant. The strand is comprised of beads of various shapes - cylindrical, rounded, and even two that appear to represent abstract animorphic visages. Jade was both rare and prized among the ancients of the Americas. Furthermore, in order to cut, carve, and drill jade beads like these, ancient artisans created their own tools that were also made of jade as well as string saws and leather strops. Scholars estimate that it would have taken hours and hours to carve a single bead. Just imagine the labor that went into the creation of this necklace! Quartz was dubbed "social" jade and was traditionally used for personal ornaments and burial offerings. The owl pendant on this piece is quite symbolic as in the Pre-Columbian world, owls were revered as special nocturnal creatures who carried the sun to ensure that it always rose in the morning. A wonderful piece of ancient wearable art, long enough to fit over the head. Size: 27" L (68.6 cm); pendant measures 1.25"L (3.2 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Prominent Miami, FL estate

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#117028

Intact and excellent.