Lot 32

Pre-Columbian Bead Necklace, Spondylus Shells & Nacre

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Pre-Columbian Bead Necklace, Spondylus Shells & Nacre

Estimate: $450 - $675

Starting Bid: $175

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
August 7, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Nazca-Inca culture, ca. 100 to 1470 CE. An assembled strand of ancient beads restrung in modern times as a wearable necklace, combining elongated black stone beads with orange-red spondylus (spiny oyster) elements and iridescent nacre shell accents, gathered into a pendant-like drop with carved shell plaques and small tubular spacers. Across the Pacific-facing cultures of Mesoamerica and the Andes, prized marine shells such as spondylus circulated through long-distance exchange networks and were closely tied to status, offerings, and ritual display, valued for their rarity, color, and association with water and fertility. Size of strand: 29" L (73.7 cm); square bead: 0.5" L x 0.4" W (1.3 cm x 1 cm)

Provenance: ex-Robert Morris Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Arte Textile, San Francisco, California, USA

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 196733

  • Condition: Strung in modern times and wearable. Nicks and abrasions to beads as expected with age.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000