Exploring the Early Americas

The Jay I. Kislak Collection

{ object_type: 'Exhibit Item',embed_type: 'image',embed_detail: 'http://www.myloc.gov/_assets/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/ExplorationsandEncounters/CortésandtheAztecs/Assets/object66_t_125.Jpeg',embed_alt: 'Choker with Nineteen Death Heads',thumbnail: {url: 'http://www.myloc.gov/_assets/Exhibitions/EarlyAmericas/ExplorationsandEncounters/CortésandtheAztecs/Assets/object66_t_125.Jpeg',alt: 'Choker with Nineteen Death Heads',height: '66',width: '125'} }

Choker with Nineteen Death Heads

Choker with Nineteen Death Heads (066.00.00)

See Silverlight version of this item » About this item        

This choker’s beads consist of nineteen nearly identical skulls carved from conch shells.  The deeply carved eye sockets may have originally held hematite inlays.  Young nobles who were being schooled in religion and military arts wore such necklaces throughout the Central Mexican Highlands.
This choker’s beads consist of nineteen nearly identical skulls carved from conch shells.  The deeply carved eye sockets may have originally held hematite inlays.  Young nobles who were being schooled in religion and military arts wore such necklaces throughout the Central Mexican Highlands.