Vtg Colonial Chachal Pierced Silver Beads Coins Necklace Blue Glass Beads

Vtg Colonial Chachal Pierced Silver Beads Coins Necklace Blue Glass Beads Made In Guatemala Ethnic Jewelry This one of a kind Guatemalan necklace is from our large collection of vintage jewelry. We purchased this necklace in Guatemala 1971. Fantastic folk art in a stunning presentation, totally handmade. The Mayans inhabited a large portion of what is now Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and five states of Mexico: Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche and Chiapas. It is called a "chachal"--Quiché for necklace--and they have been made by Mayan peoples since Colonial times. The pendants were often the same-- a coin or coins forming a center and bottom area, with two quetzal birds on either side, and milagros hanging off the bottom. The use of coins was seen as a form of wealth and prestige. The beads are often separated by coins and or milagros. Most chachals are from Guatemala or Chiapas, Mexico, and this piece is made with antique beads. These are low silver content; the pendant tested as coin silver, which is 800 or less. We know this piece was acquired in the 1970s, but identifying the exact age it was made, given the use of antique beads, is very hard to do. What I can tell you is that authentic chachal necklaces are getting harder and harder to find. Beautiful old vintage necklace from Guatemala, with 60 hand cut/pierced silver round beads. Weight is 5.3 ozs. Thanks so much for looking.