Native American, Southeastern or Midwestern United States, Mississippian, ca. 900 to 1543 CE. A fine set of two necklaces strung with dozens of white shell beads. Both wearable compositions are adorned with cylindrical seed-form beads as well as at least 1 discoid pendant, and the larger necklace features slender tubular beads interspersed amongst the petite beads. Areas of brown, burnt ochre, and citrine hues are scattered across many beads and show the original surface coloration before being cleaned. Each necklace is capped with a modern gold-plated loop and lobster clasp combo to enable wearability. Size (largest necklace): 19.8" L (50.3 cm); (largest bead): 1.1" W x 1.2" H (2.8 cm x 3 cm); (second necklace): 18.8" L (47.8 cm)
Provenance: private Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA collection; ex-Dr. David Harner collection, Springdale, Arkansas, USA, acquired between the 1950s and 1960s
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#166980
Condition
Wearable as shown and strung in modern times. Shell beads are ancient, and stringing and gold-plated components are modern. Minor chips and staining to some smaller beads, with larger chips to some discoid beads, and light encrustations. Many beads have been cleaned to remove darker colors but with some left over to show original surface hues. Nice white bead coloration remaining throughout.