Necklace
About this object
History of use
The orange coloured beads of this necklace are probably made of spondylus shell, a type of bivalve found in equatorial waters. Spondylus were traded extensively to Peru over several millennia and were of such importance that they are frequently depicted in the art. Offerings of whole shells as well as beads and inlays are common in many periods.
Narrative
Pre-Conquest, before 1532 C.E.
Physical description
Two strands of disc-shaped shell beads that range in hue from orange to white. There are 1051 beads threaded on a handspun, white cotton yarn. The ends of the yarn are tied together forming a closed ring with one strand smaller than the other.
Categories
Materials