Frida Kahlo
AM391.
Here is a rough and interesting group of preColumbian beads from the State
of Guerrero. One is a face pendant, 2 inches tall. The
entire group of beads measures about 14 inches long. The various
beads could be used for different projects and they are certainly a nice
eclectic group for a collection. $275.US.
AM394.
Here is another fat and heavy strand of preColumbian beads found in the
state of Mexico. The strand could easily be taken apart and each
bead used as a centerpiece of a necklace, or just hung on a cord.
The strand is over 18 inches long, and the largest oval bead is 1 1/2 inches
long and 1 1/4 inches across. $400.US.
AM395.
This is a rather wonderful rough looking character. He has come from
the state of Guerrero and is very typical of their work there. The
pendant is 2 7/8 inches long and is made from a pale greenish stone which
still has a fair bit of dirt on it. I leave the cleaning to the new
owner. There is a typical set of stringing holes across the back
so that he can sit upright very easily. $255.US.
AM399.
More big beads... There are 19 inches of beads attached to this heavy
pendant. The strand contains different styles of beads including
some spinning whorls. I am selling this exactly as I bought it.
The attached pendant (2 5/8 inches tall, 2 inches wide and 1 3/8 inches
deep) is very weighty and roughly smoothed to imply the form of a
face. The shape of the stone easily indicates the ears, nose, mouth
and eyes. The stringing hole is a tiny one at the back of the head,
that only a thin cord can pass through - so a strong cord is very important...
This is an excellent piece for a preColumbian collection - all from Guerrero
and typical of what one would see in a museum there. $400.US.
AM400.
This strand contains the biggest bead that I have ever had. It is
2 3/8 inches in diameter and just over 1 1/2 inches in width. The
bead is attached to a strand of about 15 inches of similar looking beads,
though of course - smaller... These are all from the state of Mexico.
The entire group is $550, or it can be divided - the large bead selling
for $200 (large bead is sold - rest of strand is available) and the strand selling for $350.
AM401.
Here is a curious preColumbian roughly made strand from the state of Guerrero.
The pendant has been worked on quite a bit to shape and smooth it.
On one side is a line cut across it for an interesting look. One
side must have been broken hundreds of years ago so it is irregular in
size. The beads are more like pendants with the holes cut at the
ends so that they flip-flop against each other so hang very thickly like
blossoms. The pendant is 3 inches wide and there are 18 inches of
beads. $400.US.
AM402.
There are about 12 1/2 inches of nicely shaped dark green/black preColumbian
Mezcala beads from the state of Guerrero. $160.US.
AM404.
This is a glossy preColumbian pendant of smooth black stone which has had
a dramatic looking ridge running across it. This has an interesting
irregular shape 2 1/2 inches wide and 1 3.4 inches tall. $70.US.
AM405.
Here is a round (2 7/8 inches across) disc pendant made of soft sand coloured
stone and measuring slightly over 1/4 inch thick. This will make
a great and easy pendant. $70.US.
AM406.
This is not a piece of jewellery but a preColumbian stone celt from the
state of Guerrero. It is a tool, is nicely rounded at one end and
it feels very good for me to wrap my hand around it. The other hand
is smoothed and once had a cutting edge. After lots of use the end
has some roughness to it. The piece is 2 7/8 inches long and 1 5/8
inches as the widest. What a piece of history - it looks great in
a display case or is a comfort to hold... $65.US.
AM407.
This head shaped pendant is rough and typical of the state of Guerrero.
These have tiny little holes for suspension, and are very heavy...
$45.US.
AM408.
This head shaped pendant is rough and typical of the state of Guerrero.
These have tiny little holes for suspension, and are very heavy...
$45.US.
AM409.
This head shaped pendant is rough and typical of the state of Guerrero.
These have tiny little holes for suspension, and are very heavy...
$45.US.
AM410.
These beautiful antique relicarios are from Bolivia, bought in the
mountains... As tradition insists, the hand paintings are done on
metal (probably brass or bronze) with a different image on each side.
The frames are made of silver and sit very nicely on a strand of beads
or a ribbon. I love them on velvet ribbon with the bow tied in the
front where it can be seen. One can often see the knots and the bows
as these are tied on as they are items of devotional thoughts not objects
of jewellery. A great reference book is "Relicarios: Devotional
Miniatures from the Americas" by Martha Egan. The idea of the relicarios
was brought to the new world during the colonial period, and the pieces
have changed to reflect a different kind of a soul. The
large relicario (3 inches tall including hanging loop, 2 1/8 inches wide,
and more than 1/4 inch thick) is priced at $425.US. The smaller
relicario (2 3/4 inches tall, 1 3/8 inches wide, and 5/16 inch thick) is
$250.US.
AM411.
This is a very unusual antique (18th century) relicario. It was bought
in Cuba but most likely travelled there from Spain through Mexico.
This is known as an "Agnus Dei" relicario. Originally the Spanish
made piece would most likely have had a wax portrait of the current Pope
on one side, and a wax image of the lamb on the other. I am
assuming that the portrait of the pope has disappeared (wax does not necessarily
have a long life) and instead, in Mexico a painting of the Virgin one metal,
would have replaced it. On the other side is a wax back (broken into
3 parts with some chips) illustrating the "Lamb of God" which is a symbol
for Christ. The wax piece is very hard to read - you have to tip
it so that you see a shadow made from the relief pattern, but with its
age you can imagine that it has changed over time. The glass front
has been replaced, a new one cut at the exact curve of the broken original.
If this was a fully original piece it would go to a serious auction for
a large bid. Since it has suffered imperfections it is priced accordingly.
$450.US.
AM413.
Frida Kahlo pendants set in silver, made in India. #1 is $42.US.
#2 has a stone set on it - $50.US. #3 has 3 stones set on it
- $55.US. #4 is the Virgin mother and child - $42.US.
(#2, #3 & #4 are available)
AM414.
I love this collection of new pendants featuring Frida Kahlo and other
Mexican images. I only have one of each. They are made in India
- all hand painted and set in sterling silver. $48.US/each
(#1, #3 & #4 are available)
AM417.
Here is a gorgeous shell necklace which came out of Colombia. The
strongly coloured shell beads were made in preColumbian times and the Venetian
chevron bead was brought for trade later by the Spaniards. It is
has been cut flat on one side so is no longer oval. Perhaps there
was a break in it and the repair consisted of cutting and polishing that
side. You can clearly count the 6 layers of the chevron. I
find it very attractive. The chevron is 13/16 inch in diameter and
5/8 inch thick. The strand is 18 1/2 inches long. $450.US.
AM418.
This is a great strand of preColumbian beads from Colombia. The strand
is over 22 inches long and has a large variety of different beads on it
ranging from a dark carnelian to stones in shades of green, brown and black.
It has a drop bead in the middle. $675.US.
AM419.
This is a simple strand which needs to be restrung so that it is not on
fishing line anymore but on a softer cord. There are 3 preColumbian
beads here - the greenstone ones, with the pendant bead having a simple
face carved on it. The coral and the shell beads are not particularly
old. The entire strand is over 26 inches long and the pendant section
is just under 1 inch tall. $135.US.
AM421.
This is a triplet of preColumbian tubular beads from Guerrero. The
longest bead is 2 1/8 inch long and 7/16 inch in diameter and in very good
condition. The second bead is 1 3/4 inches long at its longest.
One end has a diagonal cut to it. The pendant shaped bead is 1 1/2
inches long. This is a pale greenstone with a little more green than
the photo shows. $110.US/for the three beads.
AM423.
There are two long strands of mixed preColumbian beads from Colombia here.
The beads have been strung with brass nose clips as pendants at the end.
The necklaces can be worn as is, but truthfully could use a slightly more
professional looking stringing. Strand #1 hs 27 inches of beads,
mostly carnelian and greenstone. The 5 very clear "crystal" beads
on this strand are newish and not preColumbian. They were added for
their attractiveness. There are some darker coloured true old beads
on the strand... $330.US. (#1 is sold) All of the beads on strand
#2 are preColumbian. There is even a little greenstone creature on
the strand as well as some rich thick carnelian beads. I love the
colour combination of the beads together. $365.US.
AM428.
This is a curious preColumbian stone piece that I don't have an
explanation for yet. It is from the collection of Dr. Allen
Heflin acquired in Mexico but I don't have a description for it.
The pendant is a little over 1 5/8 inches long and has two holes
piercing it. At one end of the pendant is a tiny carving which
looks like a miniscule animal. A wedge is cut out of one side
like an apple slice. Curious. $145.US.
AM429.
Here are two strands which are a mix of cultures.
These two Tairona preColumbian nose ornaments were once covered
with gold. Now the bronze castings show a green oxidization
instead. They have been casually wired onto strands of ancient
beads - carnelians cut in India and traded into North Africa and some
ancient blue Roman glass beads as well. It might be best to take
of the preColumbian pieces and use them on different projects than the
beads. A confusion of cultures, but this is how I bought the
pieces. Strand #1 is 26 inches long with a nose piece a little
over an inch wide. Strand #2 is 28 inches long with a nose piece
1 1/2 inches wide at the widest. $295.US/each strand.
AM438. Here is a curious figure carved out of a green
stone with some bright jade like colours showing within it. The
character is 1 5/16 inches tall and a fairly flat slab 5/16 inch thick.
The back is quite plain. The 21 inch long necklace is made
of preColumbian beads (and pendant) from Peru - including green and
silver spacers and long oval silver beads. $725.US.
AM439. This shell fish pendant from Peru is really nicely
shaped - almost abstract and sculptural. He has quite jagged teeth, a
nose and an eye. The piece is 2 1/4 inches long and strung with a
small group of carnelian beads with tiny green stone heishi stype
beads. On one side is a carved black stone hand, and on the other
is a 3-dimensional stone bird looking like a duck. 19 inch
long necklace strung with new chain and clasp. $385.US.
AM441. These are the sweetest four carved stone fish (1
inch long) strung onto nicely coloured spondylus beads. They hang
there like fish strung to a line to dry... The necklace is 18
inches long with a new clasp. $380.US.
AM442. Here is another sweetie - a dog-like creature (it
is a Peruvian animal from preColumbian days) carved of spondylus shell.
It is 1 1/4 inches side and strung onto 23 inch strand of
beads. The beads are made of silver, spondylus, stone, and closed
with a modern clasp. $625.US.
AM443. This delicate and graceful necklace is made up of
preColumbian components from Peru. Part of it has a double strand
which is quite unusual now but was done fairly often in preColumbian
days. It is a 24 inch long necklace with silver, crystal, bright
green stone, spondylus with silver tweezers as a pendant, cut like a
fish. Just excellent. It has a modern clasp. $850.US.
AM449. This is a very attractive vintage shawl pin from
Peru or Bolivia or somewhere close by. I am not quite sure what
kind of animal the monkey is riding on - a dog? This is a cast
piece soldered onto the hammered stick pin. It has a nice winding
to it, and a hook behind the animal's head so that when you pin it in,
it will stay in place. The pin is made of a mix of metals which
polishes up nicely. It has four loops for hanging beads or
pendants from. The originals have disappeared over the years...
The pin is 5 inches long and quite unique. $145.US.
AM450. I had a P.E.I. bracelet above made by the same
manufacturer in the same configuration with the snap closing. I
love this closing and wish that I could buy snaps like this to use
myself. It is a firm and attractive closure. The bracelet
is made of base metal but in good strong relief patterns which portray
scenic places in Vancouver, Canada. The first image is the BC
flag, then City Hall, Prospect Point, Lion's Bridge Gate, the Hollow
Tree which is making the news right now as it is becoming in danger of
collapse, and the coat of arms. When closed the bracelet is
slightly over 7 inches long. $65.US.
AM452. This is a trememdous, amazing group of large
preColumbian carnelian pendants from the Tairona of Colombia.
This is expensive because of their rarity. the largest
pendant in the center is 1 9/16 inches long and 5/8 inch across at its
base. The next largest pieces are 1 3/8 inches long. There
are also barrel beads, oval beads, bullet beads and smaller pendants.
It is a very good collection. The ready to wear necklace is
only 14 1/2 inches long. It can be increased in length with the
addition of some extra beads. Luckily it fits me nicely sitting
right at the base of my neck. When heavy necklaces sit so close
their weight is distributed evenly and I find them very comfortable.
$1950.US.
AM453. The carnelian and stone beads at the front of this
necklace are Tairona from Colombia. They measure 7 1/4 inches and
include 7 attractive pendants. I do like the mix of colours here.
The entire ready to wear necklace is 19 inches long.
The silver beads are from a totally different culture but are
close in shape to beads that were made in the preColumbian period in
the same area. These are beads from Ethiopia though...
$350.US for the necklace.
AM461. I like the feel of tools in my hand. They
often sit nicely in my palm and since they have been used so much they
fit well. This cuts or scraps. It is preColumbian from
Mexico, it is small, just 1 3/4 inches tall and has a nice smooth blade
to it. $60.US.
AM466. This is a pretty rough preColumbian necklace
of stone beads from Guerrero, Mexico. There are 22 inches of
beads suspending a shell pendant 1 1/2 inches across.
$145.US.
AM467. Most of these preColumbian beads are stone from
the area of the state of Mexico. There are a few pottery spindle
whorls though. It is a nice mix with a stone bead pendant in the
middle. The necklace measures 24 inches long. $255.US.
AM468. Here are some pale rough stone preColumbian beads
from the state of Mexico. The beads include volcanic ones.
The strand is 23 inches long and at a bargain price.
$135.US.
AM469. This is a 24 inch long strand of preColumbian clay
beads. There are round beads with stripes circling them in dots
as well as bird shaped beads. The round beads average 3/4 to 7/8
inch in diameter. The birds average 1 1/4 inches from end of beak
to end of tail. One bird has its head missing but the others are
in quite good condition. It is always remarkable how clay beads
like these can last as long as they do. $250.US.
AM473. Here is a true treasure and collectors item.
This is a capote de paseo for a Mexican matador. It is a
cloak that is worn over one shoulder while the other is tucked under
the opposite arm. The Virgin of Guadalupe is embroidered there to
protect the matador from harm. You might typically see photos of
the very fancy, very ornate capotes of the top matadors of the country.
This instead was made for a matador from a smaller pueblo with a
lot of local love within it. This is totally made by hand - I
couldn't find a single machine stitch anywhere on it so the work is
quite immense. There are spangles and all kinds of flourishes in
gold against a deep sea green/blue. The embroidered flowers stand
out beautifully and the Virgin at 7 1/2 inches tall is very impressive.
The capote when lying on my floor stretches 53 inches across from
one side to the other. The widest part is 21 inches high.
If you would like to see how they are worn you can google "capote
de paseo" under "images". A few can be found on flickr.com as
well. This is a vintage piece and the lining has some bleaching,
some spots and some irregularities on it. The outside has a
couple of spots that I imagine could be reasonably cleaned. It
would look quite wonderful hanging on the wall. $375.US.
AM474. I usually see these Mexican religious boxes made
in a much clumsier way with base metals. This instead is
delicate, beautiful, nicely detailed, and made of sterling grade
silver. The box is 3 7/8 inches tall and 2 3/4 inches wide when
closed. It stands 3/8 inch thick. The doors open easily to
reveal the Madonna and child. There is a hook on the pack so that
it could be fastened on a wall or at an altar. $250.US.
AM476. I have four pendants here from Mexico. Some
are decorated on both sides, and others just on the one side.
They are all sterling grade silver and religious in nature.
#4 is 1 inch across in diameter. $22.US/each pendant
AM478. This is a good sized Yalalag cross from the area
of Oaxaco. It is 6 1/2 inches tall and quite heavy. This is
made of mixed metals with some bits of silver but mostly brass.
It is very impressive. $110.US.
AM479. This is a vintage paperweight which I bought in a
market in Mexico City. It is made of glass so quite heavy.
It had felt on the bottom but much of that is worn off. It
could easily be replaced. The image inside is of the madonna with
the baby, and it has a romantic old look to it which I like very much.
This measures 3 inches in diameter and is 1 1/2 inches tall.
$75.US.
AM480. This is a very beautifully made, cast sterling
silver pin. This is a vintage piece, over 50 years old.
There was once another leaf at the bottom of the design but it
has broken off years ago. The pin is normally pushed through a
shawl or sweater. It has a pin added to the back so that it can
be fastened without a worry of falling out and being lost. Birds
are important in Mexican art often for their air of romance. The
pin is 4 7/8 inches long and the wings of the bird are truly 3-D, made
individually which is quite unusual. $135.US.
AM481. I was pleased to find such a lovely and artistic
pendant, carved in a preColumbian style but newly made. The stone
is a correct type and the image is very close to original ones that I
have seen in museums. The face pendant is just under 2 inches
tall. The necklace itself has true preColumbian stone beads mixed
with modern brass ones - 24 1/2 inches long $345.US.
AM482. This is a precious little sterling silver vintage
pendant. The monkey is riding on a deer and must be expressing
some curious story. The pin is 1 1/4 inches tall. $110.US.
AM484. This is a little token which was once a pendant
but the loop at the top has been broken off. I was charmed by it
as the image on the front is of a heart with a dagger in it and flowers
rising from above. It says "EL CORAZON DE MARIA SMA." On
the other side a crucifix is being carried by a man on his knees.
It says "EL SENOR DE TEPACZINGO." This is a tiny piece
measuring 11/16 inch across. $22.US.
AM487. Here is an impressive gold (I can't give you an
accurate percentage) pendant which originated in the area of Costa Rica
and Panama before they existed. You can view gold pieces in the Costa Rica gold museum to compare this with varieties of the same bird pendant
that they have there. This is a bird that has had repairs but
they don't detract from its attractiveness. Both wings have been
repaired as has the tail. From behind you can see where the
repairs were made but this is typical of ancient gold pieces as they
have been buried and easily broken. The gleaming gold bird has a
snake in its mouth which it holds with its beaks and with its claws.
The piece is 2 3/8 inches wide at the wings and 2 7/8 from top to
bottom. The piece is strung with greenstone beads from Mexico as
well as a few shell beads. The greenstone is a good colour with
some quite bright ones reminding me of jade included. I wish that
I had more delicate beads to string it with but wanting to keep the
entire piece in the same time zone I didn't have another substitute.
This is a remarkable and attractive piece. $2250.US.
AM489. Here is a very interesting pendant bought in the
S(#1 & #5 aretate
of Veracruz in eastern Mexico. It look like a seated person
although when suspended it hangs with the stringing holes at the top
and the longest side of the pendant making a horizontal line. The
piece measures 3 inches along the longest side. This is a very
curious piece. I had a knowledgeable customer tell me this:
"...this is a broken Mezcala anthropomorphic carving, it would
normally have legs (you can see one leg) with the head at top.
The piece was drilled at one time in order to make it a pendant.
Mezcala Culture, Guerrerro, Mexico, roughly 200 BC." I always
appreciate knowledge being passed on. $145.US.
AM491. Here are some bargain preColumbian stone &
pottery necklaces. They are a rather rusty earth colour but can
be washed to get a better colour. They are irregular shapes and
useful for a variety of projects. $95.US/each strand.
AM493. These earrings are great fun. I bought a
number of key chains featuring a coffee can from the Cafe Colon shop in
Xalapa, Veracruz - then used sterling silver loops and earwires and
turned them into earrings. The 7/8 inch tall cans (1 5/8 inches
from top of hoop to bottom of can) are just perfect in detail showing a
local woman with a cup of coffee at the front. The cans say:
"Cafe Colon - genuino Coatepec" , "desde 1963 excellencia en
cafe", "100% Arabica", "hecho en Mexico" as well as the
address and phone/fax numbers of the main shop in Xalapa. This is
actually very delicious coffee and the place is famous in the area.
These are a perfect gift for any coffee lovers...
$26.US/each pair
AM494. This is an 8 reale bronze coin from Mexico, dating
at 1813. It has a rather delicate counterstamp on it adding to
its history. I don't know the story of the coin - it will require
research by the new owner. It measures 1 1/2 inches across.
$65.US.
AM495. Here is a group of trade tokens from Mexico -
mostly dating to the 1800s. The tokens are made of bronze, hand
stamped, and the one to the left measures slightly over 1 1/8 inches
across. Landowners or hacienda owners would pay their workers
with tokens, then the tokens would be used in the hacienda owners'
stores to buy their necessities. The tokens were all very
specific to particular properties and could not be used in other areas.
#1 says "PROVICIONAL DEZ ...IN OCTAVO 1833" and has an image of
an eagle on it. It is plain on the other side. #2 is
unclear and seems to say "...NISTRACION DE MINAS 1855" on one side and
"...S.M. DE 1/8" on the other. (#2 is sold) #3 says "1/8 1824" on one side
and has a bunch of grapes with "B T" on the other. #4 says
"SAYULA 1/8 1830" on one side and the other side is flat. #5
says "PUEBLA DE JALA 1833" on one side and "LUIS ...APIS 1/8" on
the other. $32.US/each trade token #6 says "H. LA FLOR
1877" on one side and has a sculpted flower on the other - $50.US.
AM496. The rectanglular trade tokens average 1 3/16
inches across. Token #1 says "COCULA 1808" on one side and
"HOMERO CUARTO" on the other. (#1 is sold) #2 says "AMECA 1/8" on one side
and "1855 T.A." on the other. #3 has "AMECA 1/8" on one side and
"1855 T.A." on the other. #4 says "VILLA BENITO" on one side and
"1/8 1825" on the other. #5 says "VILLA DE COLIMA 1853" on one
side and it has a plain back. #6 says "UN OCTAVO 1835" on one
side and "HACIENDA MUNICIPAL DE OSTOTITLAN" on the other.
$30.US/each trade token
AM497. The
square trade tokens here measure
1 5/16 inches across. Token #1 says "HDA. DE LACOS MANUEL
JIMENES" on
one side and "VALE 20 LITROS DE MAIZ 1906" on the other. #2 says
"MINA DEL EDEN ZAC. 1874" on one side and "VALE UNA CARGA DE METAL" on
the other. #3 says "MINA DEL EDEN ZAC. 1874" on one side and
"VALE UNA CARGA DE METAL" on the other. #4 says "1872 PARRA" on
one side and "1/8 XALPA" on the other. #5 says "1913" on one
side and "50 cent PARRAL" on one side and "1913" on the other.
#6 says "1872 PARRA" on one side and "1/8 XALPa" on the other.
$45..US/each trade token
AM498. There are two necklaces here made of antique black
coral beads. These were made in the Oaxaca area long before there
were bans in place. Strand #1 has long beads some of which are
rectangular and others tubular. The strand is 18 inches long and
the central bead is 1 inch long. $95.US. Strand #2 has
soft facet oval beads. The necklace is 16 inches long and studded with hand made silver beads from the Toluca area. It has a sterling silver clasp. $110.US. (#2 is sold)
AM499. I have the same type of bracelet up above at
AM450. That one is from P.E.I. though and this one is for Quebec,
Canada. I think that these are all attractive having had one for
Calgary in the past. A collection of Canada would be an
interesting one. This bracelet portrays: Quebec City 1608,
Chateau Frontenac, Parliament, Porte St. Louis, La Basilique and
Spencerwood. It is 7 inches long and closes with a very tidy snap
shut. It is not silver, but silver coloured. $65.US.
AM502. What a sweet and strange little guy. I
couldn't resist him. This sterling silver pin is a Mexico
souvenir piece from the 50s or 60s. The little boy on his burro
is 2 1/4 inches tall. His sombrero has a nice wide 3-D rim, he
has an odd and peaceful look on his face and the burro strands quietly
there. $125.US.
AM503. I am always looking for antique silver Yalalag
crosses coming from the town close to Oaxaca. They are very
distinctive in their style. I rarely see a jeweller's signature
on this but on the bottom cross is a number 3, and below the arms of
the cross "ERE". This is 3 3/4 inches long including hanging
loop. $75.US. (sold)
AM504. These Mezcala preColumbian abstract stone figures
are simple but evocative. They come from an area in the State of
Guerrero close to Morelos. There are some amazing pyramids close
to there like Xochicalco. They are much nicer in real life as one
can cradle a sculpture in their hand. These sculptures do not
have stringing holes in them. They were meant to be used more as
talismans. A cord could be tied around the figures under the
heads and they could be turned into pendants. One would have to
be very careful though, that all was tied tight so that they could not
fall and break. The pieces have flat backs and are sculpted the
most deeply on the sides. Sculpture #1 is 2 3/8 inches tall -
$145.US. Sculpture #2 is 2 5/8 inches tall - $145.US.
Sculpture #3 is 1 7/8 inches tall - $135.US.
AM507. These are fairly rough beads but good ones.
They are preColumbian beads from Guerrero - the area close to
Mexico City. Bead #1 is flared and 1 1/4 inches across. It
is 1/2 inch tall. $45.US. Bead #2 is thick and dark grey.
It is 1 inch long and 7/8 inch in diameter with a good sized
hole. $40.US. Bead #3 has a nice natural shape. It
is 1 1/8 inches long and 3/4 inch diameter at the widest. It will
sit nicely as a central bead on a necklace. $45.US.
AM508. These two greenstone pendants are very polished
and caught the light from the windows when I took the photo.
Pendant #1 is 1 1/4 inches tall, just under 1 inch wide and 3/4
inch thick. The stringing hole is at the top of the back - a
typical hole that goes from the top of the piece, to the top of the
back so that a cord grabs the top of the back. It is meant to
represent a face but any carving has been smoothed too much to see
details. $75.US. Pendant #2 is holed in the same way
- at the top of the back. The pendant is 1 inch long11/16 inch
wide and almost 5/8 inch thick. You have to imagine the features
of the face. $55.US. (both are sold)
AM510. There are three face pendants here, each very
different from the other. They do all come from the State of
Guerrero. Pendant #1 is a warm rounded greenstone. It is 1
1/8 inches tall and 7/8 inch wide. It is over 1/2 inch thick.
The face is simple with a straight mouth across and the stringing
hole is at the top of the back - the hole going from the top to the
back. Very typical. $85.US. Pendant #2 is tiny but
has a very clear face. It is 5/8 inches tall and a nice mottled
greenstone. It has a typical hole at the top of the pendant in
the back. $45.US. #3 has a straightfordward face - a line
across as a mouth and two deep wideset eyes. This is a mottled
dark grey stone holed at the back, at the top of the back.
$40.US. (#2 is sold)
AM511. This is a beautiful unusual preColumbian stone
pendant from the Veracruz area. It measures 1 3/8 inches across
and has two holes for stringing it with. This is quite simple but
has lots of character. $135.US. (on hold)
AM512. This is a 13 1/2 inch long strand of preColumbian
beads from Mexico. They could easily make the kind of necklace
that Frida Kahlo would have typically worn. Some of these beads
have been very carefully shaped so that they are nicely smoothed.
The largest bead on the strand is 1 inch long and 1 1/8 inch in
diameter. The beads are all coloured in greys and creams.
Some still have surface reminders of their long burial. I
always think of when pieces were first worn and when I walk through
entrances in pyramids or walk through the walls of old buildings I
imagine how people were dressed and how the beads are of the same types
of stones as the buildings used. $330.US.
AM513. This is a very attractive strand of preColumbian
beads from the Veracruz area. There is a good variety of colours
and shapes included here as the beads were found over a long period of
time. The strand is just under 19 inches long and the central
pendant is a little over an inch long. $400.US.
AM516. This is a very attractive 25 inch long strand of
preColumbian greenstone beads from Mexico. The colour is very
good on these and the mottling gives a very attractive effect.
The central bead is flared, a little over 3/4 inches long with a
diameter of 1 1/4 inches on the wider end and 15/16 inch at the
narrower one. I love looking at the stringing holes of beads like
these, where you can see how they were scraped and ground open with
irregular cone shaped holes. $450.US.
AM517. This is a fairly perfect strand of preColumbian
beads. Most of them are greenstone, nicely shaped and polished
and the strand tapers in size from the front to the back. The
black central bead is 3/4 inch wide and 1 3/8 inches in diameter.
The strand is 27 inches long and could be beautifully strung in
exactly the same order of beads as it is in. In fact if you
string it as is you don't need a clasp as it can swing over the
wearer's head. The dreams of the past can travel with you...
$450.US.
AM518. Here is a rough but interesting bunch of
preColumbian stone beads from the State of Mexico. They might be
a bit awkward for making a necklace with but they are of an impressive
size and type and perfect for a collector. The large flared bead
is 1 1/2 inches long, 1 1/8 inches in diameter at the narrow end and 1
7/8 inches wide at the wide one. These are quite heavy.
Laid out it is a 13 inch strand. $400.US.
AM519. I don't usually buy spoons but it this case I
couldn't help it. This is a tourist spoon, but an old one.
The spoon is 5 1/4 inches long and is covered with intriguing
images. At the top is the eagle holding a snake in its beak -
symbol of Mexico. Below that is a burro carrying bags, and below
the burro is an agave plant with a man with a sac on his back making
pulque. Above him are the words: Pulque Gatherer.
Pulque is a fermented drink made from the agave, but since it
constantly ferments a true pulque cannot be bottled. You could be
wandering through a market or passing through a town and you might be
offered pulque to buy from the man who made it. There are some
pulquerias as well but they are becoming rare.
AM522. This collection of scrapers is from Guatemala.
#1 is 1 3/4 inches long and 1 1/4 inches at the widest. You
can compare the others to that one. These are all smoothly
finished with a good edge on them. Numbers 1 through 4 are
$68.US/each. Number 5 is $80.US. (#1, #2, #3 & #4 are sold)
AM523. I fell in love with this statue when I saw it for
sale from a carver in Malinalco. I kept walking past it and
finally had to stop and buy it. Talking with the artist I kept
looking at him and then at the mask and realized it was a self portrait
- so you can see the artist who created this. His name is Gabriel
Vergara, and he is from Chalmita Ocuilan in the State of Mexico.
The country is full of art from ancient to the present.
This mask is carved from wood (you can see how the back has been
gouged out) and decorated with bone from a bull. The eyes are set
with pieces of shell. The mask is 6 1/8 inches tall and 4 1/8
inches wide. It stands out over 3 inches and has a hole to use to
hang it. $285.US.
AM524. Oh, the stories, the histories, the travails of
the luchadores are part of life in Mexico. In Mexico City there
are a number of places to watch the wrestling (lucha libre) as well as
museums dedicated to some, and restaurants owned by others. I
bought one of these bracelets for myself, and then three others for
those who are interested in the luchadores but won't have the chance to
stop in the city and buy one of these. The bracelets are woven of
seed beads, and close with knots and loops made from beads as well.
When closed the bracelet winds around for 6 3/4 inches.
These will be great on a bare arm in the warm weather and I am
sure will cause a smile here and there... $38.US/each bracelet.
AM615. The three bracelets here have been made by the
Huichol people. Both men and women work on these, and the designs
follow the interests of the makers. Bracelet #1 is for a wrist of
6 1/2 to 6 3/4 inches. Bracelet #2 is for a wrist of 6 1/2 to 7
inches. Bracelet #3 with the Virgen de Guadalupe is for a 6 1/2
to 7 inch wrist. They are each $26.US.
AM616. I am amazed at the talent of the Huichol women of
Mexico to build three dimensional pieces like the bracelet illustrated
here. It has two layers of leaves rising up from the wristband of
leaves, and then stamens come out of the flowers as well. It is a
little over 7 inches around and beckons Spring. $35.US.
The necklace sits very nicely around the neck with the design
extending out. The inside of the piece is 17 1/2 inches around.
The necklace is 2 inches tall. $45.US.
AM525. San Judas Tadeo is a saint who assists in the
almost impossible. Walking in Mexico City on the 28th day of a
month I saw many people, lots of them youthful, wearing t-shirts or
carrying statues of San Judas. I stopped and asked if there was a
festival - no festival, but a day of blessings from San Judas. In
Mexico City there is a shrine at San Hipolito, near metro Hidalgo, in
the Centro. I bought these two necklaces there as I found them
enchanting. The plaque in the front is 4 1/4 inches tall
including fringes. The necklace part is 26 inches long.
$15.US/each necklace.
AM526. I bought a couple of these woven images of San
Judas Tadeo. They are 4 1/2 inches tall, and $8.US./each.
AM527. These are sterling silver pins from Mexico - with
Aztec style illustrations. Pin #1 is 1 1/2 inches square and has
the circular Aztec calendar on it. It also has a loop on the back
so that it can be worn as a pendant. $45.US. Pins #2 -
this pair of pins is the same size and shape 1 1/5 inches tall but both
have different illustrations on them. They look terrific worn
together. The decorative part is on a sheet of silver that stands
a little above the background sheet of silver so it has a nice raised
appearance. $75.US/the pair.
-
I have just acquired a number of strands of pre Columbian spondylus
shell beads coming out of Peru. Each strand/necklace is very
unique, strung by a Peruvian who has been doing this since
childhood. (though strung on fishing line - they would be best restrung onto a cloth cord)
AM528. There are three strands of beads here, each
intriguing. Strand #1 has a pottery pendant which has a face on
it - you can see the sturdy nose and the fat lower lip. The ear
broke off one side many years ago. The head is large and the legs
are small and bellow the mouth is a row of holes which I think might
indicate a necklace - it is a very typical image. The beads
include spondylus in a beautiful rich colour, and genuine Nuevo Cadiz
blue glass beads. The necklace is 17 inches long plus pendant.
$235.US. Necklace #2 also has a small figure as the
pendant. He is a little more clear in real life than on the
pendant and the beads that suspend him have the image of being arms.
The necklace of shell & spondylus is 17 1/2 inches long and
the little man is 1 inch tall. $235.US. Necklace #3 has
wonderful bright spondylus for its beads, in that great Peruvian
colour. The beads measure 18 inches in length with a 1 1/8 inch
tall stone pendant. I love the way that the orange beads fit into
it. $235.US. (#1 & #3 are sold)
AM529. I am uncertain as to what these shell amulets
represent - some research needs to be done. They certainly look
great though winding around the 23 inch long necklace. The
amulets are a little over 1/2 inch in length and a number of them have
lines across them making them look like jars to me. The central
pendant has old chips on it but that does not detract from its
interest. It simply shows its history. The piece is 1 1/4
by 3/4 inches rectangular. This is a very unusual and memorable
necklace. $485.US.
AM530. Here is a charming group of shell animals strung
onto 18 inches of shell/spondylus beads. The spotted animal
(jaguar?) is 7/8 inches across. The central bead is a rough
triangle. These are beautiful warm colours against the skin.
$235.US.
AM531. This strand is very unusual as the grey beads are
pyrite. Because pyrite is essentially metal/iron the 22 inch long
strand has an unusually heavy weight to it. I am told that they
can be polished up, but have not tried and do like them exactly how
they look now. The metal grey is an attractive contrast with the
colours of the shell. $260.US.
AM532. There are two very different strands of beads
here. Necklace #1 definitely needs to be restrung as it is
fishing line without a clasp. The beads are over 22 inches long
and attractive sturdy flat rectangles. They had been buried and
show the signs of time underground. The colour is a good rich
deep orange, the pride of Peru. The pendant on this strand is a
bird and the wonderful thing about this clay bird, is that it is a
whistle and you can blow a sharp loud sound on it. The tail has
an old chip on it but it still looks natural and good - it does not
detract. $325.US. Strand #2 is that beautiful rich, deep
orange (sometimes reaching a warm red) colour of spondylus from Peru.
The necklace is 19 inches long and the central pendant is 1 1/4
inches long. The longest shell bead is just over 1 1/4 inches.
The colour is just amazing. $255.US. (#2 is sold)
AM533. The discs on this necklace sit very nicely when
worn. The largest one is stone and just under 1 inch in diameter.
The largest shell one is 3/4 inch in diameter. The entire
strand is 20 inches long and again, beautiful rich orange spondylus
shell. $225.US.
AM534. There are two strands here with beads very similar
to the ones that Robert Liu shows on page 138 of "Collectible Beads".
Necklace #1 is 27 inches long. I love the creamy feeling
(and colour) of very old shell beads. The way that they have been
worn and smoothed gives them a great finish. There is a nice
variety of beads here and among them you can see the signs of time -
the enlarged holes from string wearing against them, the shapes of the
beads altered by others having rubbed against them for years, and marks
left on the beads hundreds of years ago. Quite wonderful.
$385.US. Necklace #2 is ready to wear though I am always happier
myself if cotton/silk or polyester cord is used rather than fishing
line. The long beads are nicely doubled up and then strands
passing through single sputnik shaped beads. There is a little
more than 20 inches of beads which sit very nicely. The bone
beads have that softness and smoothness that comes with age and wear.
$385.US. (#2 is sold)
AM535. There are two strands of beads here, each with
nice flat shell slices for a bit of drama. They look great when
worn. Necklace #1 has 22 inches of shell and spondylus beads with
pendants all around. The central pendant is 2 inches tall, smooth
on one side and textured on the other. The preColumbian aesthetic
was always interesting and attractive. The colours have a very
natural sense to them and look great against the skin. $395.US.
Necklace #2 is a heavier variation. The beads going around
are sturdier with them going around just under 20 inches. The
side pendants are closer together and the central pendant is 2 3/8
inches tall. Again the colours are creamy variations of brown,
orange, pinkish - looking great against the skin. This should be
restrung - one of the brick coloured beads has been improperly strung
and sits sideways, and too much of the fishing line shows at the back.
A nice cord would work perfectly and would not take long to do...
$450.US.
AM537. This is an early traded strand of rare glass
beads, brought to South America by the Spanish. The colour of the
wound beads is deeper and richer than on the photo. Strung onto
the strand is a preColumbian Sinu shell double holed pendant, and some
Mexican stone pieces. There are 10 small stone carvings here.
Three of them are people, one is a three sided carving
representing an animal I think, and the rest are spear shaped.
The necklace is ready to wear, delicate and beautiful.
There are 20 inches of beads with a 1/2 inch long shell pendant.
The little men are just under 1/2 inch tall. $385.US.
I
have a new collection of preHispanic stone beads from Mexico.
They come from across the country starting at Guerrero on the
west, across the State of Mexico, Morelos, Tlaxcala and the State of
Veracruz to the east.
AM539. I don't have a scale that will check the weight of
these beads accurately. The closest I can come is a guess at 1
1/2 pounds or so, so shipping is more expensive than average. The
bead that is partly shown in the preview photo is 1 5/8 inch across at
the widest and 1 1/4 inches across at the narrower end. It is 1
inch tall. The longer tubular bead is 2 inches long. The
entire strand is about 21 inches long and has a real variety of shapes
of greenstone beads on it, most coming from the state of Morelos.
This could be a good foundation for a preHispanic collection of
stone beads at a bargain price of $500.US. If you collected
the beads individually they would cost at least twice as much.
AM540. Here is another heavy rock strand with a variety
of beads on it. The central bead illustrated in the preview photo
is 1 5/8 inch across at the widest, 1 inch at the narrowest and is just
under 1 inch tall. Beads could be used individually as central
points of interest on a necklace. Even a bead strung onto a cord
has a great time evoking look to it. This measures about 22
inches in length. $450.US.
AM542. This 18 1/2 inch long strand of beads is nicely
put together and ready to make into a necklace just as it is. I
like the contrast between the dark tubular beads and the lighter
spacers. The colours are rich and interesting and curious to
spend time examining. The strand came out of the state of
Veracruz. $350.US.
AM543. These two strands of preColumbian beads (in Mexico
they are referred to as being preHispanico or antiguo) are well shaped
and nicely graduated to make perfect necklaces. The smaller
strand is just under 18 inches long with the largest bead at the front
being 11/16 inch in diameter and 3/8 inch thick. The smallest
beads are just under 3/8 inch in diameter. The colours are good
and rich with lots of speckled beads for interest. $450.US.
The larger strand of beads is 24 inches long with the largest
bead at the front being 1 inch in diameter and 3/4 inch thick at the
widest. The smallest bead on the strand is 7/15 inch in diameter
and about 1/4 inch thick. The graduation of sizes of beads on
this strand is excellent. One could easily use this to make both
a necklace and a bracelet. The greenstone beads are great in
colour, some with wide streaks of white in them and others with a
mottled pattern. $580.US.
AM545. This is a pale grey preColumbian stone necklace
from Tlaxcala. There is a lot of texture to the 20 inches of
beads. The beads have not been washed and they could use a
soaking as they have been buried for hundreds of years. $220.US.
AM546. This is quite an odd necklace and if you are
delicately set, it isn't for you. This is a stone necklace (from
the State of Morelos I believe) with some smooth and some rougher beads
on it. I have left it strung exactly as it was when I bought it.
There are 18 inches of beads but it is the pendant that is the
special item - it is shaped like a penis, 3 1/4 inches long. I
know this piece has had a special significance but haven't had the
chance to read up on it. Here is something to research -
my dealer in Mexico had great fun showing it to me. $600.US.
AM548. This character from Puebla is crude in some ways -
the texture of him is rough on both sides - is it volcanic rock?
It certainly looks like that to me. Driving to the city of
Puebla one sees the famous snow covered Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl
as well as Malinche which is sitting dormant. There is much
volcanic rock in the area from years gone by. This man has a
stringing hole that will take a reasonable cord. He is 3 1/8
inches tall and has a strong and direct stance. $145.US.
AM549. These three pieces are from Puebla. The
first two are not pierced but used to hold or to display. #1 is
2 7/8 inches tall and slightly curved outwards. The back has a
crust on it from years gone by. You can distinguish the line
between the legs and barely see where the mouth is - all has been very
worn over time. $125.US. #2 is quite 3-dimensional and 2
1/4 inches tall. All of the lines are quite clear with most of
the wear occuring at the forehead and feet. It is a mottled pale
green and very attractive. $145.US. #4 is 2 3/8 inches
tall and has a stringing hole at the top. You can see a little
dent where it is in the photo, so it can be hung as a pendant. It
is quite plain with spread legs, a straight mouth and clear ears.
$125.US.
AM551. Here are two very expressive face pendants -
better in real life than in the photo. Pendant #1 is a rich brown
with a slightly lopsided face with the hole off to one side a little.
It is 2 7/8 inches tall and has a stringing hole large enough for
a good cord. $145.US. Pendant #2 once had two stringing
holes, one at each side. Only one still exists as the other has
worn through many years ago. A fastening could be made circling
that area of the face though as it is indented a bit. The face
has been very nicely carved with a fair bit of detail. $120.US. (#2 is sold)
AM552. Both of these pendants have good holes for
suspension although they are quite heavy so one would have to make sure
that the stringing cord is very strong. Pendant #1 is slightly
over 2 1/2 inches tall. The nose is what strands out the most
clearly carved into the pale hard greenstone. The back is quite
flat. I don't think that this has changed very much from the
shape of the rock as it was found in the state of Morelos long long
ago. $75.US. Pendant #2 has a good hole for stringing too.
It was packed with dirt from burial but I gave it a quick
cleaning. The pendant is 1 7/8 inches tall and quite think.
It is carved of a very hard greenstone. $75.US.
AM553. Both of these pendants are made of a very hard
black stone. Pendant #1 is quite curious making me think of the
shape of a dog style of animal. The shaping of the eyes points
towards what appears to be the snout. At the end of the snout
(you can almost see on the photo) is a circular indentation which I
imagine is the mouth. This had a hole for hanging but it has worn
through so this is a piece working best for display. $50.US.
Pendant #2 is just over 1 1/4 inches tall with soft groovings
(seen more clearly in real life) to indicate the eyes and the mouth.
It has a good hole for hanging with. $75.US.
AM554. The first piece here was once a head pendant
carved of stone but the holes have worn through - they are clearly
visible on the back. It is a great piece for display though with
a clear and simple face. $30.US. Pendant #2 is 1 inch tall
stone pendant with a vibrant face. The stringing hole goes
straight through his forehead. $45.US. (#2 is sold)
AM555. These two carved stone pieces from Mexico have
both been broken hundreds of years ago. They are still attractive
and interesting. Piece #1 is an expressive face of black stone -
2 inches tall. It was once a pendant but the top with the
stringing hole is missing - the stone is just rought at the top.
$35.US. Piece #2 is the top half of a body. The face has
been damaged with a rather crushed top of head and nose, and the piece
has been broken roughly at the waist. It still carries a long
story with it. $35.US.
AM559. Beads and whorls. #1 - $45.US. #2 -
$45.US. #3 - $40.US. #4 - $50.US. #5 - $50.US.
#6 - $40.US. #7 - $55.US.
AM560. Spindle whorls. #1 - $75.US. #2
- $50.US. #3 - $45.US. #4 - $65.US. #5 -
$75.US. #6 - $50.US.
AM561. Most of these beads are very well rounded and
needed a lot of work to make them so smooth as well. Bead #1 - 1
1/4 inch diameter $25.US. Bead #2 - 1 5/8 inch diameter
$65.US. Bead #3 - 1 1/16 inch diameter $20.US.
Bead #4 - 1 1/4 inches diameter $40.US. Bead #5 -
1 1/2 inches diameter $50.US. Bead #6 - 1 3/8 inch
diameter $40.US. Bead # 7 - 1 1/16 inch diameter
$35.US. Bead #8 - 1 3/8 inch diameter $55.US. Bead
#9 - 1 1/2 inch diameter $65.US. Bead #10 - 1 1/4 inch
diameter $50.US. Bead #11 - 1 3/8 inch diameter
$40.US. Bead #12 - 1 1/8 inch diameter $20.US.
AM562. I have a nice collection of stone rocks here so
that you could simply string one onto a necklace rather than buy an
entire necklace. They are all a good size. Bead #1 is 2
1/4 inches long and 1 3/8 inches wide. $55.US. Bead # 2
is smooth and black. $50.US. Bead #3 is 1 1/2 inches long.
$30.US. Bead #4 has a rather odd shape and a great
delicate colour. $30.US. Bead #5 is 1 1/4 inches long and
only partly cleaned. $20.US. Bead #6 is a wide flat
bead. It is 1 5/8 inches wide and just under 1 inch thick.
$35.US. Bead #7 is 1 3/4 inches long. $45.US. Bead
#8 is a very nicely cut, nicely smoothed, well shaped bead.
$75.US. Bead #9 has been shaped a bit on the sides so that it
dips in and out 3 times. $35.US. Bead #10 is an extra
heavy nicely smoothed slightly flattened round bead. It is a warm
brown and I think the extra weight means it has a percentage of iron in
it. $45.US. #11 is a nicely shaped flattened round black
& grey bead just under 1 1/4 inches in diameter. $30.US.
#12 is casually shaped like a spindle whorl. It is a nice
soft green colour and shaped in an irregular but interesting way.
$55.US. (#4 & #9 are sold)
AM563. This pale greenstone earspool is very smoothly
shaped on the other side. It is raised in an irregular way on
this side. There are no stringing holes but a cord could be
knotted into it to turn it into a pendant. This is quite heavy at
3 inches across and 1 inch at the thickest. $120.US.
AM564. This is a monumentally attractive very large (3
5/8 inches at the widest with a 3/4 inch central hole) hard black stone
earspool with a single suspension hole. It could be an amazing
pendant, perhaps hanging close to the throat. I like it very
much. $195.US. (sold)
AM565. Here are three heavy preColumbians pendants - each
has one hole for suspension. I don't know what #1 represents but
it is an attractive oval with a carved line crossing it. The hole
is set to the side a little so it hangs on an angle which gives it a
very creative and modern look. It is rubbed to be very smooth so
very nice to hold as well. $85.US. Pendant #2 is quite
rough, pretty well like a rock with a stringing hole. $35.US.
Pendant #3 is dark, smooth and black with a face carved into it
by smooth lines crossing the stone. The suspension hole is placed
in the middle where the shape curves down a little. It is heavy
and very attractive. $110.US. (#1 is sold)
AM566. There are five very different bead/pendants
illustrated here. #1 represents a face but one has to imagine it.
The colour of the stone is an attractive mottled green, and there
are two sets of holes in the back so that it can easily be hung with
cord facing forward. $70.US. #2 is a pendant that once
had two holes for suspension, but only one is still intact. It is
1 1/4 inches tall. $30.US. #3 is a very interesting piece
and I have no idea what it represents. It is a creamy colour and
still has a fair bit of coating from burial. It hangs easily.
$65.US. #4 is a 1 1/2 inch tall pendant with a face
etched into it. The eyes are deep and the mouth is a straight
line across. There is one stringing hole a little to one side of
the middle of the top of the back. $65.US. #5 is simply a
bead which has had its sides cut in so that it looks a little like a
flower. $25.US.
AM567. These preColumbian earspools all have holes hand
drilled into them so they could be used to creat pendants. Very
attractive ones too. Earspool #1 is just under 2 1/4 inches
across, has one hole, and is made of a streaky grey stone.
$95.US. Earspool #2 is greenstone with two sets of holes, 2
inches across (very nicely cut on the other side) and 1 inch tall.
$110.US. Earspool #3 is mottled in browns and dull
greens, 2 3/16 inches across and has two sets of holes. $85.US. (both sold)
AM547. This is an old 2 meter long strand of traditional
Guatemalan beads. These are generally made of low end silver with
a brassy colour at times. They have a good look to their colour
though. The round beads are about 7/15 inch in diameter, some
plain and some with cut-outs. I have never had a strand so long -
- $110.US.
AM568. I love the good silver tokens from the past - the new ones are not at all as interesting. This is a Virgin of Guadalupe
token measuring 1 3/8 inches in diameter. On one side is a
typical 3-dimensional portrait of Guadalupe standing in the clouds.
Around her are the words "NON FECIT TALITER" and "OMNI NATIONI"
with a rose next. On the other side is a view of the basilica of
Guadalupe in northern Mexico City. Around the image of the plaza
and the four main churches are the words "RECUERDO DE LA INAUGERACION
DE LA PLAZA MONUMENTAL DE LA BASILICA DE GUADALUPE" and "1952 Mexico
D.F." Now there is a modern basilica as well with the image that
is claimed to have been found by Juan Diego, now a saint hung in a
hallway. There are moving walkways like in an airport for people
wanting to view the image - so everyone passes at one speed. The
token is $45.US.
AM572. These
greenstone skulls with stringing holes in the back
have been carved by modern Mayans. They use the same methods as
in the
past to create contemporary versions of the images. The skulls
are each a
little different with individual personalities. They have
been smoothed nicely and have a rather elegant look. They average
about 7/8 inch in height. They are $24.US/each.
AM573. These skulls with stringing holes in the back
have been carved by modern Mayans. They use the same methods as in the
past to create contemporary versions of the images. The skulls are each a
little different, carved in crystal as well as one small one in turquoise. They have
been smoothed nicely and have a rather elegant look. They average about
3/4 inch in height. They are $20.US/each. (#1 & #8 are sold)
AM576. This is a nicely graduated strand of preColumbian
greenstone beads from the area between Cuernavaco and Taxco. They
are nicely smoothed and the largest average 5/8 inch in diameter.
The strand has 21 inches of beads on it. $350.US. (sold)
AM577. This strand of beads is waiting for some nice
sturdy cord and a clasp to become a necklace. There are 19 inches
of spotted dark green preColumbian beads from the State of Guerrero.
The largest bead at the front is 7/8 inch wide and 11/15 inch in
diameter. $250.US.
AM578. The first strand of preColumbian greenstone beads
is very highly polished. They have a very smooth finish to them.
The strand is 15 inches long, enough for a short necklace.
$250.US. (#1 is sold) Strand #2 has a little over 15 inches of
preColumbian greenstone beads with a 1 inch long pendant in the center.
They are a little rougher than strand #1 and would also make an
excellent necklace. $250.US.
AM579. This strand of preColumbian greenstone beads tends
towards pale green, beige, and grey. The colouring is delicate
and has an interesting spotted pattern on it. There is a little
over 19 inches of beads here with a round central one measuring 7/8
inch in diameter. $350.US.
AM580. Here is a mixed group of preColumbian greenstone
beads from the State of Guerrero. The stone is so hard that beads
were often just smoothed and holed pieces of found stone. A
number of shapes are included here - it is a very heavy strand with a 2
5/8 inch long central bead. There is a very distinct 1 1/4 inch
tall face bead as well. The entire strand is about 22 1/2 inches
long. $375.US.
AM581. What a perfect strand of big (almost) round,
preColumbian greenstone beads. These are from the State of
Veracruz and although I wanted to travel light, I couldn't refuse them.
There are 19 1/2 inches of beads with the central one being 1 5/8
inches across. You need a strong neck to wear these or a statue
to place them on, but I think they look excellent in a display case -
they have so much power to their size and shape! $750.US. (sold)
AM582. This is a rambunctious looking strand with a
variety of shapes and sizes on it. There are three face beads the
largest one being 1 inch tall. The two larger ones have very
clear eyes and mouth, the third one is more subtle. There is an
attractive short (5/8 inch long) bead with two lines carved around it.
The longest bead on the strand is 2 inches long. I liked it
very much as it is so didn't unstring it to remove the masks - you get
a great collection here... $440.US.
AM583. These two strands of amber beads come from the
southern end of the Gulf coast of Mexico. It has a good rich
colour, a natural variety of shapes, and interesting patterns within
it. The beads are not new, but not old enough to be antique - I
would guess 30 or 40 years old. Strand #1 is about 13 inches long
with the largest bead being a little over 1 1/4 inches long.
$65.US. Strand #2 is over 22 inches long with an
interesting variety of shapes on it. $115.US. (#1 is available, #2 is sold)
AM584. This is a light weight silver necklace with a
Yalalag cross hanging from it. This is delicate looking, and
unusual. The necklace part is 26 inches long and just slips over
the head. The cross pendant is 3 7/8 inches long from the top
loop to the bottom. $350.US.
AM586. This is a bold and striking pendant which is 2 1/4
inches tall. It is studded with natural stones in various
colours. The piece would have been made within the last 50 years.
$75.US.
AM587. I bought this dangling, wiggling copper fish in an
antiques market in Mexico City but don't know where it originated from.
It moves nicely and has a great colour to it. The piece has
been hand made from flattened wires soldered together. The piece
is 4 3/4 inches tall. $65.US.
AM589.
I love the earrings from the city of Guanajuato, Mexico
constantly filled with the chattering birds that the city is filled
with. These earrings are well over 50 years old and made in a
complex style that is rarely seen these days. Each earring has
four birds decorating it. It is impossible to see on a
2-dimensional photograph but the largest bird has a wind that stands
outwards as if it was flying. The earrings are decorated with
glass turquoise coloured beads and a facet red stone. They
measure 2 inches long and dangle and move gently and beautifully.
$240.US.
AM591. This is a rather typical Peruvian tourist piece.
It has its charms though. This is made from an unknown
metal and is probably 30 or 40 years old. The disc pendant is 3
inches across and the interesting chain is 15 1/2 inches long with a
hook closure. $40.US.
AM592. I collected these pale Tairona beads over the
course of a few years. Usually the beads are a true carnelian
colour or straight crystal, but these are a bit of one and a bit of the
other. These are preColumbian beads that have a sharp click when
you hit one against the other. There are six beads, with the
largest being a little over 1 5/8 inches long, and the shortest 13/15
inches long. They total 6 1/8 inches long. $200.US.
AM593. There are two strands here of PreColumbian beads
from Guerrero, Mexico. Strand #1 is 28 inches long with the
largest beads a little over 5/8 inches in diameter and the beads in
general averaging 3/8 to 1/2 inches in diameter. The beads have a
nice gloss to them that isn't showing on the photo. $350.US.
Strand #2 is 14 inches long and gently graduated. $175.US.
AM594. This is a really long well sorted strand of
PreColumbian beads from Guerrero, Mexico adding up to 40 inches long.
The smallest beads are less than 1/4 inch in diameter and the
largest are about 1/2 inch across. As usual, they look better in
real life. $380.US.
AM595. Here is a 23 inch long strand of PreColumbian
beads from Guerrero, Mexico. The center tubular bead is a little
over 3/4 inches long. $270.US.
AM596. This is a very attractive strand of PreColumbian
beads coming from Guerrero, Mexico in the southern area. The
strand is 30 inches long. The central beads are quite
interesting, one being a spindle whorl over over 1 3/8 inches across,
another being a mask face, a small ear piece, and three interesting
carvings that need to be examined off the cord. The back beads
are quite strong green, a lively colour and much stronger green than
average. There are two little shell beads tucked in.
$650.US.
AM597. I have a small group of beads here with the
largest tubular being slightly over 2 inches, the next 1 7/8, and the
next 1 1/4 inches. The entire strand is 8 3/4 inches long.
The tubular beads are very nicely smoothed. $160.US.
AM598. This thin slice of stone reminds me of a butterfly
or a pair of wings though slightly lop-sided ones. It is a
perfect preColumbian dark grey stone pendant. This measures 1 7/8
inch across and 1 1/5 inch tall. $65.US. (sold)
AM599. These spondylus shell beads make up a little fleet
of preColumbian birds. The largest is 3/4 inch across and 3/4
inch tall. There is a little rectangular block as well.
They look just beautiful as they are. These came out of
Mexico but might have been traded in from Peru or Ecuador where they
are more typical. $75.US for the group. (sold)
AM600. These two pendant carvings made of spondylus shell
are sold as a pair. I don't want to separate them as they came
from the same place from the same artist. They came out of Mexico
but may have originated in South America. The one of the left is
1 7/8 inches tall, and the one on the right is 2 1/5 inches tall.
They are surprisingly heavy and solid feeling as shell is very
dense. They each have a pair of stringing holes just beneath
their chins so could easily become pendants on a necklace or with a
little wire work they could become a pair or earrings.
$315.US/for the pair
AM601. Here is a simply clay spindle whorl. It is 1
1/2 inches across. It is clearly over 100 years old but I don't
know if it is old enough to be qualified to be preColumbian. It
is impossible for me to date it that specifically. This would
make a very nice pendant. $18.US.
AM602. This is an excellent and wearable stone statue of
a man. He has a nice curved back that must have been the original
shape of the greenstone rock. The stringing holes are at the back
of the top of his head. There are small holes about even with his
elbows but one is worn through. The second is still fine
though. His image is nicely traced into the stone. The
piece is just under 2 1/2 inches tall. $160.US.
AM603. This is a very curious pendant. It is made
from a soft stone and has lost (during burial) most of its surface.
There are just a few small areas on the piece where you can see
the darker original surface. It has a slightly dusty surface now.
This is one of those strange pieces though, that has more than
one image to it. If you hold it in one way it looks like a bird
with head, eyes, wings, and a tail. In that case the stringing
hole is just under its tail. If you tip it and look straight at
it while it is sitting on the stringing hole and tip of tail, it looks
like a sitting man facing you. The arms and face are clearly
defined. Perhaps there is another creature to see there as well -
those are the two that are clear to me. The piece is 2 1/2 inches
at the longest and quite a collector's piece. $185.US.
AM604. Cascabels are bells, and these are old
(preColumbian) ones in which the brass has coloured, acquired a patina
and a crust on some. They average 5/8 inch long and are separated
by spondylus shell tubular beads. The entire strand is 6 inches
long. This would make a good center section for a necklace.
$75.US. (sold)
AM605. Every visit I manage to find a sculptural piece.
This is a heavy stone figure with clearly defined arms, legs and
face. He has a long Mayan nose and peaceful face. The
sculpture is 4 1/2 inches tall. $225.US. (sold)
AM606. You can see earrings like this in Oaxacan art
museums. I have a modern version on my "Mexico" pages. The
silver part of these earrings (birds) though is hundreds of years old
and very traditional. They have been newly strung with natural
coral from the Gulf coast. The earwires (new sterling silver) are
very traditional of the area around Yalalag. The pendant is 1 1/2
inches across and the entire earrings are 4 1/2 inches long. (sold)
AM607. These earrings are antique in the traditional
filigree style brought by the Spanish and Portuguese. The Mexican
(these are from Oaxaca) version has its own aesthetics. The
largest part of the earrings are 10K gold although the hanging wires
for the pearls are white metal. The pink glass stones are bright
and contrast beautifully with the natural pearls. They are very
eye-catching. $245.US.
AM608. This is a sweet small pair of silver earrings from
Guatemala featuring doves in the center. They have many coloured
glass dangles. I haven't seen earrings quite like these before
and like them very much. $95.US.
AM609. Here is a 17 1/2 inch long strand of beads from
just outside of Taxco Guerrero. There is a variety of colours and
shapes. The longest bead is 2 inches long, the second is 1 7/8,
and the third is 1 1/2 inches. $300.US.
AM610. There is a little more than 22 inches of clay
beads from preColumbian times. Each one is different with precise
little designs carved into them. They range from very complex to
quite simple as they have been made by different people at different
times. There is a nice range of colours of beads too as they were
collected over time. $255.US.
AM611. This is a fat and simple greenstone mask from the
State of Guerrero, Mexico. It has the usual stringing hole at the
back of the head. For once it is actually big enough for a small
cord to go through. It is 1 7/16 inches tall and 1 1/8 inches
wide. $85.US.
AM612. The first thing to know about this PreColumbian
pendant is that this has been broken and glued together again.
The break line is just under the inscibed line that goes all
around the piece. I would not recommend wearing this just in case
it might break again. It is great for a display though. 2
inches tall. $25.US. (sold)
AM613. All three of these PreColumbian greenstone masks
have stringing holes of a reasonable size with no threat of breaking.
They are all safe to wear. Mask #1 is 7/8 inches tall.
Mask #2 is 5/8 inches tall and Mask #3 is 3/4 inch tall.
$45.US/each mask. (all three are sold)
AM614. The four PreColumbian pieces here all have good
sized stringing holes - all are ready to string up and wear. The
first piece is like a leif, pale green and 1 inch tall. $20.US.
Mask #2 is slightly over 1/2 inch tall with a very plain face.
$25.US. Mask #3 is 1/2 inch tall - two eyes and a line
across for a mouth. $25.US. Mask #4 is 1 inch tall.
It has two fat eyes and a bit of a smile. $35.US.
AM574. Strand #1 $245.US. Strand #2
$245.US. Strand #3 $245.US. Strand #4
$245.US.
AM300.
This is an attractive 20 inch long necklace with black clay whorls and
3 stone pendants. $275.US.
AM303.
This is a long strand of shell beads (outer strand is 22 inches long and
inner strand is just under 16 inches long) suspending an odd collection
of items. A metal donut shape, a 7/8 inch long crystal bead, 2 pieces
of turquoise and a fat spindle whorl... There is enough material
here to do some restringing. $230.US.
AM304.
Strand #1 - $320.US. Strand #2 - $320.US.
AM310.
This Tairona strand has some very large beads on it. The longest
one is 3 3/8 inches long, and the central bead is just over 2 1/4 inches
long. The length of the necklace is 19 inches. You can certainly
admire the high skills of the Tairona bead-makers in these impressive beads.
The darker bead has a line around it - it has NOT been broken. That
is an internal fracture that shows as a fine line. It is quite attractive.
Do look at page 147 of "Collectible Beads". $380.US.
AM316.
These preColumbian greenstone beads come from the Guerrero area outside
of Taxco, just to the west of Mexico City. They are found over time
by farmers tilling their fields, collected, strung onto fishing line and
sold for some extra income. The beads have been washed but still
have bits of eath, lime, etc. on them giving them a strong sense of age
and burial. Strand #1 is 18 inches long with the central bead
measuring 1 inch across. $230.US. #2 is a little
over 18 inches long, has a few interesting lopsided beads and a tubular
one measuring 1 1/8 inches long. $225.US. (#1 is sold)
AM317.
These preColumbian greenstone beads come from the Guerrero area outside
of Taxco, just to the west of Mexico City. They are found over time
by farmers tilling their fields, collected, strung onto fishing line and
sold for some extra income. The beads have been washed but still
have bits of eath, lime, etc. on them giving them a strong sense of age
and burial. Strand #1 has about 18 1/2 inches of nice chunky
beads. The fattest one is 5/8 inch in diameter. $240.US.
#2 is 17 inches long with two lopsided beads making me think of small pendants.
There is some creamy opaque quartz on this too. $230.US.
#3 has 18 inches of beads (one broken one) - all nice and sturdy.
I am always amazed when I look at the holes drilled by hand - a huge amount
of work to create ornaments coming from the earth. $225.US.
(#1 & #3
are sold)
AM322.
This preColumbian holed disc was found in west Mexico in a shaft tomb
area. It was originally collected by
Lynn Langdon in the 1950s. He was a
major collector often working with archaeologists and museum curators. This pale greenstone piece measures 1 7/8
inches across. It has a small hole at
one side and it is thought that it hung as an ear decoration. It could easily be worn now as a
pendant. The piece has cracks going all
across one side but I am told that it has never been broken - that the line is
part of the stone itself. Even
though
this is a hard stone, I would be careful not to drop it while wearing
it or bang it against anything equally hard. This has a great old
worn feeling to it and is dated C.300BC to 300AD. $175.US.
AM325.
This is a nicely polished 24 inch long strand of carnelian beads made by
the Tairona of Colombia (900-1500AD). The central bead is 1 1/2 inches
long. The colour is a little more muted that I could show on the
scan. These are very nicely cut and full of life. $410.US.
AM328.
Here are 3 Tairona preColumbian stone frogs along with a slice of a bird.
The bird is 1 1/4 inches long from end of beak to tail. The frogs
are quite 3 dimensional and best seen in real life. #1 is not a frog
but a clenched fist, a popular symbol in south America $80.US.
#2 is $150.US. #3 is $110.US. and #4 is $75.US.
(#1 is available)
AM331.
This very manly piece was made from an antler horn of a small deer from
the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It was created in Taxco, one of the
silver smithing centers of Mexico. This can hang like a talisman
or hold a set of keys... The piece is signed but I can't quite make
it out. The antler itself measures about 5 1/2 inches in length,
and the entire piece including silver caps, chain and connector is 11 inches
long. I had never seen a piece like this before and was quite amused
by it. $220.US.
AM332.
Here is a beautifully made, typically styled bracelet and earrings from
Taxco. Taxco is not producing a lot of jewellery that could have
been made anywhere in the world, and I always search for the pieces that
reflect on Mexican history instead. The pieces are sterling silver
and set with amethysts, turquoise and glass representing the colour of
coral. The bracelet is 8 inches long and 1 1/4 inches wide.
The earrings hang 3 inches long. The pieces are just beautiful and
very well made. $465.US for the set.
AM335.
These are good heavy preColumbian stone beads from an old collection which
was formed in the mid-1900s. I don't think that they were used as
beads to wear but the holes were smoothed through so that they could sit
on a rod - performing some sort of function. The tall bead $4 is
2 inches tall and just under 1 1/4 inch in diameter. Bead #5 has
a broken part this is old and worn. #2 is the largest - 1 1/8 inches
tall and 1 5/8 inches in diameter. #1 - $120.US.
#2 - $140.US. #3 - $120.US. #4 - $150.US.
#5 - $100.US. #6 - $130.US. (#4 is available,
the rest are sold)
AM337.
There are two charming strands of beads here, both made mostly of shell,
and both with spindle whorls as the bottom pendants. Strand #1 has
28 inches of beads and a 2 inch long pendant composed of beads. The
clay spindle whorl is 1 inch in diameter. There are also some small
clay and stone spindle whorls on the strand. It has a great combination
of soft colours and textures. It does need to be restrung.
$325.US. Strand #2 has 28 inches of beads
with a 1 3/8 inch long pendant. The bottom bead is 7/8 inch across
in diameter. The shell beads have a rusty brown tone, all different
shapes, textures, and polishes. This needs restringing before wearing
as it is just done on fishing line. $325.US.
AM338.
The central part of this necklace - the pendant - is a gold Tairona nose
ornament which is I think is more comfortable being worn from a strand
of beads instead. The piece is a lost wax casting with lovely spirals
on the outsides (broken away a little on one side - but that happened hundreds
of years ago and is softened as if it was alway like that... or perhaps
it was - perhaps the casting didn't work out perfectly.... This is
a high karat gold with a beautiful colour to it. It is now a pendant
and hangs from a strand of beautiful deeply coloured turquoise and sodalite
beads with a little shell as well. There are 3 glass beads as well
which must have been from an early trade. Above the pendant
is a shell spindle whorl with holes patterned around it for decoration.
They most likely originally had little bits of turquoise pressed into the
holes. The strand of beads is 18 inches long and the length of the
pendant section is 1 7/8 inches. The gold piece is 2 inches wide.
A new gold fill "S" hook and beads are used for the clasp. This is
very very beautiful. $1600.US.
AM342.
Here are two strands of beads brought from Peru and made larely of shell.
Strand #1 is 26 inches long plus pendant. The beads have shell tending
to purple mixed with shells tending towards orange. They look great
together. There are also greenstone rectangular pendants running
down the sides of the necklace. These have a number of holes in them
and in preColumbian days would have been used to suspend a number of strands
of beads. They look great flaring out as they do. There are
also some wider shell discs as well as some small thin copper discs between
the beads. There are also two regular shells strung on looking great
close to the 1 1/4 inch wide donut shaped pendant at the bottom.
$365.US. Strand #2 is 31 inches long plus pendant.
It has some good sized shell ovals and tubes divided by orange shell disc
beads. The pendant at the very bottom is 1 inch across. This
is a very warm variety of shades and is very attractive. $365.US.
AM347.
This is an amazing small amethyst bead from South America. It is
pinker in real life than on the scan. The bird is 7/8 inches long
from end of bead to end of tail. It stands 13/16 inch tall with
the
hole about half way down. Because of where the hole sits, if the
piece is strung onto a cord, it hangs upside down as the weightiest
part
is the bird. I do not know how it was meant to be used, other
than
look beautiful in a collection. I was told by a knowledgeable customer
though that it might be a "Atlatl weight. The atlatl was a spear
or dart thowing device depending upon the culture, time period and
design". If you look at the base in the scan
you will see that part of it is clear quartz which suddenly transforms
into amethyst. There is no break in the piece there, just a
sudden
internal change of colour. The end of the tail is clear quartz as
well. I have held onto this piece for about 20 years now but
don't
pay enough attention to it, so it needs a new home. $850.US.
AM352.
The central bead on this Tairona (from Colombia as above) group of beads
is quite special. I love the beads which narrow in their middle areas,
and are slim and long. This piece of crystal is almost 3 inches long
and has perfect conical holes drilled into it. You can see a similar
bead on page 147 of "Collectible Beads" where Liu says "The flared ends
of the beads make the lapidary work a tour de force." The necklace
is 20 inches long and a dark carnelian "bullet bead" sits at each end of
the crystal. Very impressive. The carnelians around the necklace
are quite full of life. $550.US.
AM354.
Here is an attractive strand of carnelian stone beads made by the Tairona
people of Colombia. (a Chiefdom level society from the Sierra Nevada
de Santa Maria of Colombia - 200BC until 1650 AD) These beads are
warm and curious with all kinds of patterns in them, mostly made by stripes
of quartz. The beads are glossy and alive. The center bead
is 1 1/4 inches long and the entire necklace is 20 inches long. Very
attractive. $475.US.
AM361.
Here are two sodalite strands of beads from Peru. These are often
sold as "preColumbian" but truly they have been made in recent times -
probably being made in the last 200 years or so. They have a good
typical look to them and would a highlight a preColumbian pendant or a
specially carved bead. They are much less expensive that the true
preColumbian as well - $155.US/each strand.
AM362.
This is a museum reproduction piece replicating a Mixtec pendant in the
Regional
Museum of the State of Oaxaca located in the Ex-Convent of Santo Domingo
in the city of Oaxaca. If you click on the name of the museum above
and then scroll down to the treasures of Monte Alban Archaeological Ruins
Tomb 7 you will see the original piece. This is an amazing likeness.
A helpful researcher found images of the original for me so that I could
identify where it was from. This is hand made (not cast) of sterling
silver and then lightly gold plated. I think it is a great colour
as is, but if you want to bring it back to silver any jeweller can give
it a quick dip to take surface colour off. This joined pendant is
9 inches tall, and the bells at the bottom ring clearly and strongly.
The piece is very evocative to me. It has a big loop at the back
so that you could wear it as a pendant - the loop is thick enough for a
rope of velvet or a hand-made cord - something that your imagination decides
on. There is also a pendant closure. I do think this is quite
wonderful. $395.US.
AM364.
These beads have come from Guatemala and combine local coins with beads
which were traded in over the years. They were collected by a well
respected bead researcher/collector back in the 1960s or so, and have sat
in his collection until now. Wearing the strands with the coins brings
luck along with the showing of silver. Strand #1 is 17 1/2 inches
long and could be restrung with a clasp into a necklace. The coins
are 1 REAL, dating from 1885 to 1912. The beads are Venetian white
hearts, a couple of Czech "rice" beads, and some hollow blue glass from
China. - $145.US. Strand #2 is a collection of trade
beads in gorgeous shades of blue and turquoise accented with pink, yellow
and orange. They are gorgeous and the strand measures 18 inches in
length. - $145.US. Strand #3 is mostly red grade beads
from Bohemia/Czechoslovakia. This is 26 inches long, and again, would
make a great necklace. - $145.US. Strand #4 is made for
religious purposes as an item to hold onto, to put in a special place,
and to carry to the church. The 1 5/8 inch long cross is silver,
has a silver bead above it - - and the tiny coins (7/16 inch across) are
1/4 REAL each. They date from the late 1800s. There is one
golden blown glass bead here, as well as balls of coloured wool.
Enchanting. $175.US.
(#2 is sold)
AM365.
Here are three strands of beads from Guatemala, originally bought from
the people there by a well respected bead researcher/collector back in
the 1960s or so. They continue to be collectible, and would make
great necklaces as well. Strand #1 is 24 inches long, and the Venetian
red white-hearts are contrasted with pale yellow vaseline beads as well
as Guatemalan coins - REALES. The reales range in date from 1900
to 1911. - $135.US. Strand #2 has 28 inches of beads with lots
of reales in-between as well as yellow vaselines. There are two 1/4
reales tucked in as well as one 1/2 real. They date between 1900
and 1911. With some spacers this could make a double stranded necklace.
- $325.US. Strand #3 is 25+ inches long, has an orange tinged
version (rare) of Venetian whitehearts, yellow vaselines and a group of
reales. They date from 1900 to 1912. - $225.US. (#2
is sold)
AM367.
Strand #1 is an attractive mixed collection of Guerrero beads in shades
of pale pale green, cream, and grey. It is 17 1/2 inches long plus
pendant and could be re-arranged into something very terrific - $350.US.
Strand #2 is very eclectic in its variety of beads. The strand is
over 19 inches long and would be good in a collection or turned into a
necklace - $390.US.
(#2 is sold)
AM369.
This is a well worked preColumbian grooved stone block decorated with cut
stripes. This measures 2 5/8 inches long, 1 1/2 inches tall, and
1 3/4 inches wide and is made of a dark roughly hewn volcanic rock.
A strap would have been fastened around the indented center.
I saw one very much like this in a museum in Mexico in San Luis Potosi
placed next to a piece of paper. It is known as a "bark beater" and
used to pound bark to make it soft and sticky enough to work with - to
create textiles or paper. $145.US.
AM371.
Sculpted stone face, beautifully done in preColumbian style but contemporary
carving. Looking at this it is hard to believe it is a copy as it
is so well done. The face is 2 1/4 inches tall so would be quite
impressive on a necklace. It has the typical four stringing holes
in the back so it could be used in a number of ways. It would also
look great in a display. $185.US.
AM376.
This is my last contemporary piece carved by a Mayan out of crystal - in
the same manner as the old and famous carvings. History is being
brought into the current age. This standing figure is 2 3/4 inches
tall, can stand on his own (but that wouldn't be a safe way to leave him
if the table gets jiggled at all), and has stringing holes at the top of
his back. This is more attractive than I could show in the photo
and would make an amazing centerpiece on a necklace. $165.US.
AM378.
Here is a Tairona preColumbian bead strand with a contemporary brass pendant.
There are 24 inches of beads, both shell and stone clasping a flat brass
pendant. It does look good but would be nice with an old piece in
the center. $300.US.
AM379.
This Tairona bead strand has a wonderful pale green preColumbian pendant.
The strand is 26 inches of shell with a 7 1/2 inch long beaded pendant
hanging from it (shell and stone).. The figure hanging from the bottom
is of a man, 1 5/8 inches tall. He has a very poetic face and I like
him very much. As is, this can slip over your head but if it was
mine I would feel more secure restringing it first. $550.US.
AM380.
Greenstone preColumbian State of Guerrero bead strand 22 inches long.
At the back is a broken earspool. It is attractive nevertheless and
would look great in a collection. It is in a great mossy green colour.
The pendant of the necklace has been mounted at some point 50 or so years
ago. It is a dark green marbled preColumbian face which has been
set into gold which is marked as 14K. The necklace needs restringing,
but all that you need is there other than the clasp. $650.US.
AM381.
This strand of preColumbian Tairona shell and stone beads has a centerpiece
of a nose clip. It was once gilded with gold and still has a very
small trace of it remaining. The necklace itself is just under 24
inches long. the pendant/nose piece is 7/8 inches tall and just under
1 3/4 inches at the widest. $330.US.
AM390. I
have rarely acquired nice large roundish carnelian beads from the Tairona
people of Colombia before. Here though, is 218 grams of good substantial
beads. The strand is 23 inches long and has no clasp, but for me it slips
easily over my head. The beads are nicely graduated with smaller
carnelian beads in-between. The largest central bead is 3/4 inch long and
1 inch in diameter. I haven't had a strand of round beads of this size
before... $900.US.
AM258.
I have four cutting tools - preColumbian celts here that came from the
area of Copán in Honduras which was occupied between AD 400 and
800. They are smoothed beautifully and very worn from use so that
they have the smoothness of silk when held in the hand. #1 is 1 7/8
inches long and an attractive buff colour with darker lines running through
it. $75.US. #2 is 2 inches long and has lots of the grain
of the stone showing though it has been well smoothed in use. The
cutting edge is nicely polished. $55.US. #3 is the fattest
and widest. It is 3 1/8 inches long just over 3/4 inch thick.
I love holding it in my hand. The edges curve to a point very gracefully.
$195.US. #4 is a beauty as well. It measures just over
3 inches in length and is again gracefully cut. Looking at it from
the side makes me think of perfection. $165.US.
AM264.
I have some strands of rough ApreColumbian beads from Guerrero, Mexico.
These are fairly rough beads where much work was taken to cut stringing
holes into the beads, but less was taken to reshape the beads. These
were very popular for over 1000 years... and were recently dug up
in farmers' fields outside of Taxco, Mexico... #1 is 22 inches
long plus pendant bead. #2 is 28 inches long (finer beads)
plus pendant bead. (#2 is sold) #3 is 25+ inches long. - $175.US/each
strand.
AM270.
I know very little about these two volcanic rock statues which I bought
at auction. These two fellows can actually stand up, though the first
one is more stable than the second. Statue #1 is 5 1/8 inches tall
and has very clear clenched teeth and hands touch each other across his
stomach. Statue #2 is 4 inches tall, has half closed eyes and a dreamy
smile. They are both nicely rounded with flattish backs. These
have been buried for an awful long time. When I look at the pieces
with a magnifier the carving looks very old (preColumbian makes sense)
and eroded over time. The research on these pieces will be up to
the customer. Each statue is $165.US. (#2 is sold)
AM273.
There are three strands here of Mezcala beads, each with a pendant at the
bottom representing a human figure. These are protective pieces.
Necklace #1 is 17 inches long with a 2 inch long pendant. The lines
carved into the nicely polished stone represent the head and body of a
person. $350.US. #2 is a little more complex.
The strand is about 17 inches long and has some tubular beads on it as
well as a carnelian. The pendant is 2 1/3 inches long and clearly
shows eyes, mouth, shoulders and feet. It is a lovely pale green.
$400.US. (#2 is sold) Strand #3 is just
over 16 inches long with a pendant measuring 2 1/4 inches. It is
very polished with a gentle curve in its shape and has some very simple
lines chiselled into it. I think that one at the front indicates
the mouth and two slanted ones indicate where the arms are. It is
very subtle but again, beautiful. $350.US.
(#3 is available)
AM283.
These preColumbian stone beads and pendants are all figurative. I
am repeating here what I said next to AM271: "These are from the
people living in the area of the Mezcala River of northern Guerrero in
Mexico. The Mezcala and Chontal lived their culture fully from about
1200BC to 200AD. They worked very much in stone, and with their need
of effigies to work with their instinctive feelings of the existence of
an afterlife, much of their stonework depicted faces or figures.
In the beginning, they generally worked with stones which they kept in
their basic shapes and made the simplest eyes and mouths. They would
often use grooves to distinguish heads from torsos, and mark wedge shaped
cuts to define the legs. Entire communities, including the children
would work at shaping and marking stone pieces and as time went on they
became more complex and realistic." - $5 is the last one available.
AM284.
Here are more pieces as above, just smaller in general. #1
has simple implications of a body. It is 1 1/5 inches tall.
$35.US. (#1 is sold) #2 is a
rather spaced out looking face. $28.US. (#2 is sold)
#3 is a small (just under 1 1/4 inchestall) figure. It has a circle
drilled on one side too like an eye so I wonder if someone changed their
mind as they were making it. $25.US. (#3 is
sold) #4 is 1 1/8 inches tall and has vague implications
of a body. $30.US. (#4 is sold) #5
is a rather odd shape - a rather erratic looking stone. It has two
eyes and is lightly polished. $35.US. #6 is a very
smoothly polished face pendant with two eyes and a mouth on the face which
stands out further than the rest of the body. $35.US.
(#6 is sold)
#7 is a clear face 1 3/8 inches tall - with large eyes and a mouth that
has the slightest hint of a smile. $35.US.
(#7 is sold)
#8 is a triangulated bead with a stringing hole passing from one side to
the other at the top. It is a dark green face with eyes, mouth and
chin shown clearly. $35.US. (#8 is sold)
#9 is a tiny (over 3/4 inch tall) pale green person with eyes, mouth and
chin shown clearly. It is rather delicate looking compared with the
other pieces, but good solid stone nonetheless. $30.US. (#9
is sold) (#5 is available - all others are sold)
AM285.
There are three good sized preColumbian pendants from the Mezcala people
here. The widest one is 1 3/4 inches across. These are very
natural looking old pieces with the look of being buried with them.
They can be cleaned further but many people like to see their beads with
their age showing on them. Bead #1 is $45.US. Bead
#2 is $35.US. Bead #3 is $50.US. (all are sold)
AM226.
I rarely see these pieces, other than very modern cast copies. This
is an antique silver pin (which is probably just a little less than .925
sterling) measuring 5 1/3 inches from top to bottom and it is meant to
hold a woman's cloak shut. It is 3 1/3 inches wide from the ends
of the bird wings on the sides. The pin is partly cast (birds, flowers,
and hand at the bottom) and partly cut from sheet silver - - wings
and flourished tails of the three standing birds at the top. The
holders of the 4 glass pieces in the front are pegged into the cast piece
with fat silver studs. In the Andes, in Peru and Bolivia, in the
chill winds, these were important and expressive pieces. This one
has been beat up a little but that is from its long wear. Something
would have been fastened to the chain at the bottom, perhaps a little bell
or a coin or another cast bird. One could attach some little piece
of their own. It is a great piece to sit dramatically in a collection,
but with the strong sturdy pin at the back, it can also be worn.
$185.US.
AM234.
This strand of Nueva Cádiz beads is from the same group as the strands
above (AM232) - a historical description is given there. The beads
above are glossier, with these being slightly darker in colour and showing
more surface effects than the others. The strand is quite fascinating
as there are a few different styles of beads (of equal age) strung together.
There are beads with a very light aqua core, as well as beads with a deep,
night sky blue. There are some beads that are more delicate than
others, as well as a bead that has a huge stringing hole running through
it so that it has almost no core glass. A number of the beads are
twisted with some variety to them. This is an excellent museum worthy
strand which will add to any collection. 22 inches of beads.
$550.US.
AM235.
There are three strands of preColumbian greenstone beads from Guerrero,
Mexico here. They were found a short distance from Cuernevaca in
farmers' fields when the land was being tilled. The strands are 22+
inches long and a deep dark green that is almost black in its depth.
The beads are fairly roughly shaped but can be strung together to make
rather elegant necklaces like Frida Kahlo wore. Interestingly I saw
one of the original costumes worn by Selma Hayek when she played Frida,
and the necklace that she wore with it was honestly made of preColumbian
Guerrero beads. I was happy to see that real beads were worn rather
than duplicates. These necklaces are $220.US/each. (#2
is available)
AM242.
This is a very nicely coloured, polished, sleek strand of preColumbian
beads from the Tairona people of Colombia. They were the most honoured
bead makers in South America. The best carnelian is "full of life"
and these certainly are. The strand is 24 1/2 inches long, and the
pendant measures 1 3/4 inches. The beads reflect each others shapes
and sizes nicely, and are strung in a very attractive order. They
do need to be restrung on something nicer than fishing line though.
$480.US.
AM243.
There are some attractive delicate carnelian beads on this preColumbian
strand from the Tairona people of Colombia. They are very graceful
and nicely graduated. The strand is 22 inches long, with the central
bead being about 1 1/8 inches long and a little under 3/4 inch across.
This can be strung to be a very graceful necklace. $350.US.
AM247.
Here is a terrific grey clay pre-Columbian bird, happy to swing, with wings
tucked up - - from a strand of shell beads. The bird sits nicely
in my hand. He is simply shaped and has lines on his sides for wings,
a closed bead and round eyes. He has been chipped a little in the
past, but those pieces have been nicely rubbed so that the appearance is
of a few ruffled feathers. While sitting, the head of the bird is
1 1/3 inches taller than his tummy. The bird is 1 3/4 inches long
at his longest. The strand of beads is 22 inches long. I can
barely pull it over my head so most people would need the beads to be re-strung
with a clasp. very charming. $265.US.
AM249.
Two strands of preColumbian beads from the Tairona people of Colombia.
Strand #1 has three lovely pieces of quartz on it as well as two tiny,
perfect "bullet" beads. It is 16 1/2 inches long and has a new clasp
at the end. $380.US (#1 is sold)
Strand #2 is 17 1/2 inches long, and has some nice longish beads on it.
It also has a new clasp at the end. $360.US.
(#2 is available)
AM199.
Here are some individual preColumbian beads from the state of Guerrero,
Mexico. They are priced on the scan. These are good sized beads,
rough in shape, and having amazing holes cut from the hard stone that they
are made off. The top bead is 1 3/8 inches across at the widest,
and the bottom bead is a little over 1 1/4 inch long. They would
make great hunks sitting individually on a heavy cord. (#2 is available)
AM200.
Here is one more strand of heavy stone beads from Guerrero, Mexico - found
by farmers between Cuernevaca and Taxco. There are about 7 1/2 inches
of beads, the longest one being 1 5/8 inches long and flattened on one
side. These beads will have a bit of a gleam to them if they are
oiled with some natural lotion. Right now they are still dusty from
having been buried for so long. $200.US.
AM203.
These preColumbian beads come out of a collection that was sold at auction
but the name of the previous owner was not given. The back of the
male pendant amulet has some numbers written on it, but they don't provide
information. The beads are Mexican though, and most likely from the
south half of the country. The stones of the necklace are a quiet
pale olive type colour which is fairly unusual - I usually get the Guerrero
greenstone strands instead. The figure is quite elegant and tall
(2 inches) and sits very nicely just below the throat. The necklace
is about 16 inches long and closed with modern silver beads and a clasp.
The piece has some delicacy.... $475.US.
AM205.
This necklace is ready to wear.
The beads are tubes and discs made of shell originating in the Sinu
culture of Columbia, dating from around 600 - 1600 AD. Their colour is a mellow cream and their
surfaces have been smoothed over the years.
The centerpiece is a small, heavily patinated, bronze face pendant
measuring slightly over 1 inch long. It is preColumbian again,
but I can't identify exactly where it was made. Perhaps some
research would discover some similar pieces to compare it with.
The necklace will just slip over your head as it is 24 1/2 inches
long. It just ties shut at the back. $275.US.
AM214.
This is a sweet little necklace made up of carnelian preColumbian beads
from the Tairona people of Colombia. All except the two greenstone
ones (called "jade" by some dealers) which are from the state of
Guerrero in Mexico. The necklace is delicate and pretty. It
measures 17 inches around so sits nicely below the bottom of the neckline.
The central tubular bead is slightly over 1 1/8 inch across and the beads
at the end are shell and stone. The necklace is closed with a modern
sterling silver "S" hook. $355.US.
AM215.
Three pairs of earrings are illustrated here, all bought in Mexico within
the last 20 years or so. Earrings #1 have hammered silver discs with
Aztec faces elegantly showing on them. They have rectangles hanging
below them of shiny black onyx. They look quite elegant and dramatic.
$65.US. Earrings #2 pierce straight into the ear and have safety
clips to hold them comfortably. The top pieces have carved onyx as
centerpieces. Glass drops (1 1/8 inches long) fall beneath them.
Lovely. $60.US. Earrings #3 are made with amethyst.
The colour did not scan really well. The top amethyst is quite dark
in colour, a little mysterious in nature, and the pendant is a delicate
colour. The earrings from top to bottom are 1 3/8 inches long.
$45.US. (#1 onyx & #3 amethyst are sold)
AM192.
There are three rough and tumble strands of preColumbian beads from Guerrero
here. Found, as usual in the fields of farmers they are strung into
strands of about 28 inches long each. There is quite a variety of
stone ranging from almost black to creamy, some bright greens ones and
a small carnelian. With a clasp and a few spacers added in you could
make two necklaces out of any one strand. $210.US/each strand. (#1 and #3 are available)
AM160.
What am impressive strand of prcolumbian beads from Bolivia this is!
The shell ones are a gorgeous warm hearty colour that would have been
highly
cherished. There are some tiny greenstone beads that look like
jade.
There are two spindle whorls, and two strangely carved pottery beads.
One
creamy coloured bead looks like bone. There are small metal beads
as well. It is an eclectic mix, and
I think it looks lively and energetic and full of life. I don't
think
that the beads sit well on their cord so I would restring it, and then
I would cherish it. 27 inches long. $425.US.
AM111.
Three preColumbian shell pieces are illustrated here. #1 could easily
be used as a pendant. It looks like some kind of a whistle but I
am not capable of causing it to make any noise. The piece is 4 3/4
inches long and gently curved. On the inside of the curve are 3 holes
rather like those in a flute. There is another hole that runs the
length of the piece so that the 3 holes on the side all open into the larger
channel which opens at each end. $45.US. #2 is a necklace with
a shell pendant a little over 4 inches long. It is pierced straight
through at the strung end, and has a small hole drilled across one corner
of the bottom end. The pendant is strung with small pre-Columbian
shell and stone heishi beads. The black beads at the end are new
Peruvian beads though. This is a great & wearable piece.
$145.US. #3 is another necklace with a shell pendant. Broader
and shorter and in lovely fleshy tones, it makes a lovely slice.
Above it are two pre-Columbian beads - the tubular one is shell, and the
one above it is a very dark greenstone. The necklace beads are new
Peruvian ones. Lovely to wear. $145.US. (#2
is available)
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