Zoomorphic Beadwork. Zoomorphic (animals representing deities) were often used in beads and beadwork in both ancient civilizations and ethnic cultures.
Below are some examples and price guides of zoomorphic beadwork including an Apache drawstring bag and some Peruvian beads.
3 3/4″ Tall Beaded Apache Drawstring Bag. Circa 1910. Brick Stitch. Zoomorphic figure designs. Fully beaded and in fine condition. Little if any bead loss. Very colorful
Sold for US$300 at Tony Putty Artifacts in 2021
Olmec Jade Necklace w/ Tairona Gold Zoomorphs
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. Six zoomorphic gold/copper alloy creatures, and over twenty small spherical, hollow gold/copper alloy beads. Also: Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1150 to 550 BCE. A long, blood-letting tool-shaped pendant made from blue-green jade, four other, greener jade beads, and fourteen rock crystal beads. All of these are strung together on a modern cord with a modern clasp to create a gorgeous piece of wearable art made of ancient elements! Size of jade pendant: 2.75″ H (7 cm); length of necklace: 20.5″ L (52.1 cm)
Sold for US$1,700 at Artemis Gallery in 2021
4 Chimu Zoomorphic Beads, Peru c. 900-1450 CE. Including: 3 Chimu pottery beads, each a finely crafted animal head; together with a stone bird bead. Ranging in Size from: .5” x 1” x .5” (1 x 3 x 1 cm) to 1.5” x 1.5” x .75” (4 x 4 x 2 cm).
Sold for US$100 at Material Culture in 2021
