Precious necklace, ca. 400 - 600 AD ·  Peru, South to Central Coast, Huari (Wari) · ID: 3052458

Description

composed of 34 trapezoidal segments, cut from Spondylus shell, newly restrung

Spondylus is a marine shell also known as the ’thorny oyster’. The Inca called it “mullu”. It was primarily harvested off the coast of present-day Ecuador and imported into Peru, which further increased its value. These shells were considered more precious than gold or even silver and became known as “red gold”.

Necklaces such as this one were likely worn by high priests or dignitaries from the upper social echelons.

The object Precious necklace, ca. 400 - 600 AD with the object ID 3052458 was part of the auction Auction 105 on November 15, 2025. The object with the lot number 68 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,600 with an asking price of EUR 1,000.

Comparing literature

Musée du Petit Palais (ed.), Peru, Art from the Chavin to the Incas, Paris 2006, p. 187, ill. 213 f.

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).