Necklace with bells and two figures
Unknown Artist
16th century (?)
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
W. 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm)
Classification
Metal-Ornaments
Culture
Peruvian
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Museum Purchase, 1899
Accession Number
99.34
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate silver necklace, hailing from Peruvian culture and tentatively dated to the 16th century, exemplifies exquisite metalwork of the Andes. Measuring just 1 11/16 inches (4.3 cm) wide, it features bells and two small figures, blending ornamentation with functionality. Crafted from silver—a metal revered in pre-Columbian societies for its luster and association with the moon god—such pieces were likely worn as jewelry or ritual accessories, showcasing advanced techniques like casting and soldering honed by cultures such as the Inca or their predecessors. The inclusion of bells tags t...