Necklace

200-1932
Unknown Artist

Object Type	Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection
Dimensions	19 in. (48.26 cm)
Medium	Amber, copper wire, plastic, metal latch
Credit Line	Bates College Museum of Art, Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection, Gift of the Marsden Hartley Estate, 1951.2.82.a-b
Accession Number	1951.2.82.a-b

Central Highlands Mexico
String of rounded beads carved from amber. Some have smoothed surfaces whereas others are faceted. It is likely that the faceted beads date to Colonial or modern times whereas the smoothed ones may be ancient.
Modern restringing of beads likely dating from both Pre-Columbian and modern times. Amber was used for adornments and some ritual objects among many peoples of ancient Mexico, especially during the Post-Classic period. Its use for adornments and medicinal purposes (a common practice in Europe for hundreds of years) continued throughout the Colonial period. Amber remains important today as both a medium for jewelry and other items (e.g. pipe stems) as well as in folk healing practices.