Necklace and Nose Ornament

Description

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.

Provenance

Valetta Swan,1965, to James C. and Florence C. Gruener (?-1965); James C. [1903-1990] and Florence C. [1908-1982] Gruener, Cleveland, OH, bequest to the Cleveland Museum of Art (1965-1990); The Cleveland Museum of Art (1990)

Necklace and Nose Ornament

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150–200 CE

Accession Number

1990.263

Medium

jadeite-albitite?, gold

Dimensions

Overall: 40.3 cm (15 7/8 in.); Each bead: 2 cm (13/16 in.)

Classification

Jewelry

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gruener