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Necklace — Anonymous, Classic period

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Written by: Elena PetrovEditor · Jewels & Gemstones
African, Oceanic & Americas Art · Catalogue no. 27988
Anonymous, Classic period

Necklace

StatusReference work · Not for sale
Held byCleveland Museum of Art
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Near Teotihuacán’s largest palace is a temple ornamented with green-feathered serpents, symbols of the earth’s fertility. Beneath the temple were at least 120 human sacrifices, most men, many warriors, and some wearing greenstone ornaments like these, perhaps a set. The sacrifices may have consecrated the temple or a ruler’s tomb, or both.

Artist / MakerAnonymous, Classic period
Date150–200 CE
Culture / OriginCentral Mexico, Teotihuacán, Classic period
Mediumjadeite-albitite?
DimensionsOverall: 40.3 cm (15 7/8 in.)
DepartmentArt of the Americas
TypeJewelry
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Provenance & Source

Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.

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