Neckpiece, Fragment
Brooklyn Museum photograph
Object Label
This elaborate, multi-strand necklace of beads carved from turquoise, Spondylus shells, and clamshells was likely a luxury item worn by elite members of Chimú society. The administrative capital city of Chan Chan was also a center of trade and craft production. Spondylus shells came from warmer Pacific waters farther north, but we do not know the source for the turquoise used by ancient Andean artisans. Perhaps it was traded from distant mines in what are now Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina.
Caption
Chimú. Neckpiece, Fragment, 1000–1532. Spondylous and clam shell beads, turquoise beads, cotton., 7 7/8 x 7 1/2in. (20 x 19cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc., 86.224.181. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 86.224.181.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Neckpiece, Fragment
Date
1000–1532
Period
Late Intermediate or Late Horizon
Medium
Spondylous and clam shell beads, turquoise beads, cotton.
Classification
Dimensions
7 7/8 x 7 1/2in. (20 x 19cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
Accession Number
86.224.181
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
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Frequent Art Questions
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The Chimú neck ornament is made from Spondylous shell, clam shell, and turquoise beads. Because of the rarity of the materials, it was likely worn by a person of high social rank in Chimú society.
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