Necklaces

Room 12, Vitrine 145

Stone, shell
Peruvian Coast
1250 BC – 800 AD
ML200023, ML300012, ML300024, ML300028

Necklaces made from gemstones and seashells adorned the leaders of the societies of ancient Peru and formed part of their funerary offerings. The stones used included black porphyry, blue sodalite, translucent quartz and blue chrysocolla, from different regions of Peru. They also used Spondylus shells from the warm waters of Ecuador.

The use of these objects made from exotic materials differentiated the leaders from the rest of the population. To this end, the leaders controlled the trade networks, thereby ensuring their exclusive access to these materials.

Black porphyry Cupisnique necklace with a pendant decorated with a carved face seen in profile; Mochica necklace with quartz and rock crystal beads; Mochica necklace with chrysocolla beads; Nasca necklace made from three Spondylus shells.