This traditional necklace of the Yalalteca is from the village of San Juan Yalalag, high in the mountains east of Oaxaca, Mexico.

It is composed of hand-wrought silver beads and coin silver components. The round beads measure 8mm and 10mm in circumference and have a rich and lustrous patina. They are interspersed with eleven engraved coin silver crosses with serrated edges.

The pendant in the distinctive Yalalag style, features an openwork cruciform design with three dangling crosses with rounded openwork terminals. It measures approximately 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. This handsome piece is from a private collection and was collected in 1940.

Yalalag necklaces such as this are rarely seen today and are very desirable to collectors of ethnic jewelry. Necklace measures 33.5"  

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For additional information see Mexican Jewelry, Davis and Pack, University of Texas Press, 1963,