PRECOLUMBIAN STONE PENDANT NECKLACE C.500-1600 AD

Tiarona, from what is today Columbia. The Spanish conquest started in 1502 and the cities of Santa María la Antigua del Darién (C.1509) and San Sebastian de Urabá (c. 1508-1510) were the first two European settlements on the mainland in the Americas. The conquest progressed until 1599 when the Tairona revolted, killing priests and travelers. By 1602, the chiefs were brought to trial, sentenced to death, and their bodies dismembered. Today, the Tairona are best known for their fine jewelry including magnificent goldwork. This pendant was part of a Tairona necklace. It was laboriously fashioned by hand polishing from carnelian and drilled for suspension. It is 11.5mm in length (over 3/8”) mounted with an 18” modern Sterling silver neck chain for wear, and gift boxed with a certificate of authenticity.