18th C. Native American Chumash Shell Bead Necklace For Sale

Native American, central and southern coastal regions of California, Chumash people, ca. 18th century CE. A beautiful necklace comprised of dozens of discoid beads carved from shell, and featuring an ovoid, pearlescent shell pendant. All are strung on a modern strand to be wearable. A single blue glass bead is placed opposite the pendant and tied to the strand to keep the other beads in place. Standardized shell beads like these discoid examples were more likely used as currency than decoration, as ornamental shells were commonly more labor-intensive. The Chumash used shell beads like these as money 2,000 years ago, making them one of the first examples of the use of money anywhere in the Americas. Size of necklace: 24.5" L (62.2 cm); of pendant: 2" W x 1.3" H (5.1 cm x 3.3 cm)

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, before 2000; ex- L. Friendly Ranch

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this item from the high end gallery where it was purchased.