Pre-Columbian, southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 900 to 500 BCE. A stunning necklace comprised of nearly 100 ancient beads carved from omphacite jade, turquoise, and greenstone with cast gold beads and a jadeite bird pendant at the center. The terminal ends of the strand are strung with dozens of jade seed beads. The larger tubular, disc, and rectangular beads are each flanked with 7 petite hollow 80% gold (equivalent to 19K+) spherical and tubular beads. The large tubular mottle green blue beads are omphacite, the rarest of all jade varieties. The pendant at the center is carved as a duck head with a prominent crest. The duck's round cranium gracefully flows and tapers to the slender beak. The nostrils and eyes are drilled into the surface and a reddish pigment, perhaps cinnabar is applied to the recessed areas. The beads are strung in modern times with a gold-plated clasp which makes this a wearable accessory. Size of necklace: 20" L (50.8 cm); pendant: 2" L x 1" W (5.1 cm x 2.5 cm); gold quality: 80% (equivalent to 19K+)

This piece is replete with ancient symbolism, for green stones such as jade were precious materials that represented fertility. Ducks were viewed as sacred animals of the watery realm and the sky world, as they could both dive deep under water and fly long distances through the air. The Muscovy duck is the earliest domesticated duck species in South America and has a distinctive bumpy, red face and sometimes a crest.

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: ex-Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA, New York collection before 2000

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#167057

Duck pendant is repaired and restored with the bill reattached with a hairline fissure encircling the nostril area; break line is nearly indiscernible on the frontside. The tip of bill is restored with new material and is nearly indiscernible. Minor nicks and indentations to stone and gold beads, but overall excellent condition. Wearable and strung in modern times on a modern wire.