Jewelry

Room 12, Vitrine 142

Shell, stone, bone and wood
Peruvian Coast
1250 BC – 1532 AD
ML200026-ML200079, ML200081, ML300038-ML300052, ML301383, ML301414-ML301416, ML301426, ML301428, ML400031, ML500051-ML500052.

From the earliest times in ancient Peru shells, stones, bones and wood were used to make beads which featured sophisticated and detailed designs. The majority of these depicted sacred animals such as birds, serpents, toads and fish. Human figures can also be seen.

These small pieces were used to make the necklaces, bracelets and breastplates with which the members of the elite were adorned.