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Neckpiece, Fragment

Arts of the Americas

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.
CULTURE Chimú
MEDIUM Spondylous and clam shell beads, turquoise beads, cotton.
DATES 1000-1532
PERIOD Late Intermediate or Late Horizon
DIMENSIONS 7 7/8 x 7 1/2in. (20 x 19cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 86.224.181
CREDIT LINE Gift of the Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
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)
IMAGE overall, 86.224.181.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Chimú. <em>Neckpiece, Fragment</em>, 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)