Description:

Southcoast of Peru, Nazca culture, ca. 200 to 400 CE. Remarkable necklace comprised of alternating beads of low karat gold (beads test as 15% gold, 80% silver and 5% copper) along with mother of pearl beads and tubular spacers. The mother of pearl has developed a slightly golden hue that matches the gold/silver beads nicely. A solid silver tweeze attached to two round beads acts as the central pendant. Andean cultures used tweezers such as this from the proto-Nazca to the Inca right up to conquest by the Spaniards. They were primarily used as depilatory devices to pluck hairs from unwanted areas. Size which includes the 1.5" tweezer: 29.5" L x .75" W (74.9 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Robert Morris Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Arte Textile, San Francisco, California, USA early 2000's and earlier

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#196734

  • Condition: Intact and excellent. Strung on modern fishline and should be restrung to be truly wearable.

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September 18, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000