Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. Definitely a necklace that will catch anyone's attention, comprised of 9 cylindrical sodalite beads - 8 along the strand and 1 - the largest - suspended as a grand central pendant. Interspersed with these are 6 large ancient spherical gilded copper beads (each composed of two hemispheres), and the 2 ancient cylindrical beads surrounding the links for the pendant are made of 16K+ gold. The modern clasp is made of sterling silver and stamped 925. The smaller spherical beads are modern and made of brass. Sodalite is one of the primary elements of lapis lazuli mined from the Andes and cherished since antiquity. This piece is comprised of 9 beautiful sodalite beads of rich cornflower blue hues and cream/russet colored veining. It also seems like some of the sodalite beads were next to objects rich in red cinnabar which settled in their recesses, resulting in a dramatic color contrast. Impressive and large - displaying the finest workmanship and superb stones - beautiful and wearable! Size: 21" L (53.3 cm) + 3.25" L (8.3 cm) pendant & links

Provenance: ex-private New York, USA collection; ex-private Jean-Eugene Lyons collection, Geneva, Switzerland

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#138088

A few chips to larger sodalite beads, primarily at the ends as shown. Large, spherical, gilded copper beads show expected surface wear commensurate with age. One of the two 16K+ gold cylindrical beads is dented as shown. The Sodalite beads and large gilded copper, spherical beads are ancient. The smaller, brass, spherical beads, clasps, and findings are modern. Clasp is sterling silver and stamped 925. Strung in modern times.