1300 YEAR OLD ANCIENT TOLTEC WARRIOR’S AMULET BEAD..

Thank you for viewing my auction. I am now selling over a thousand items which I purchased in the 1950’s-80, at the London auctions, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillip’s (now Bonham’s). Much of it is ancient jewelry which was assembled in the Victorian period from elements found in the archeological excavations of that period. They were widely publicized and wearing such jewelry was fashionable for the elite. Because they reassembled and in most cases incomplete, we are selling the individual elements so more collectors can enjoy them. We were inspired to do so by Robert Liu’s statement in Collectable Beads, that the average collector will be unable to own a single ancient bead. Each is certified authentic. The Toltec civilization of Mexico evolved from the Olmec and contributed to the later Aztec. The Toltec were the players of the sacred ball game and great pyramid builders. The pyramids and temples were consecrated with human sacrifices with as many as 20,000 recorded for a single dedication. This is a warrior’s amulet of the Toltec dating 600-800 AD. It is made from lustrous "mother of pearl" sea shell fashioned in the form of a butterfly with four holes pierce. It was worn horizontally on the warrior’s garment to identify him and bring him courage and strength. The Toltec concept of war was entirely different from most other civilizations: The goal was to capture the enemy alive to later serve as a human sacrifice! See Collectible Beads, Liu, Page 140 upper left. It is 15.7 mm (0.61") high. Condition is as shown. 39A17