Vintage Juliana Mayan-Inspired Beaded Figural Charm Necklace 1979 IIJJ#6121

A spectacular and wonderfully unusual Vintage Juliana (DeLizza & Elster) Mayan-inspired beaded charm necklace, dating to approximately 1979.

Measuring approximately 19 inches long, the necklace combines a strand of gold-tone round metal beads with an extraordinary assortment of colorful textured beads and sculptural dangling charms. Turquoise, terracotta and creamy ivory tones create a rich Southwestern and ancient-inspired color palette, while the numerous dimensional metal charms give the necklace remarkable movement and visual interest.

The focal section includes a fascinating assortment of figural and geometric charms, including stylized faces and masks, sculptural forms and a large openwork circular center medallion. Textured turquoise-colored beads, intricately patterned terracotta beads and creamy ivory accents are clustered among the charms, producing the abundant layered look associated with DeLizza & Elster's later strung jewelry.

This design has particularly strong historical documentation. A nearly identical necklace is illustrated on page 140 of Frank DeLizza's book and dated 1979. The overall construction, gold-tone bead strand, colorful textured beads and arrangement are essentially the same, with only a few variations in the individual charms.

Mayan-inspired jewelry is also recognized within DeLizza & Elster production in Ann Pitman's reference book, where Mayan-inspired necklaces and charm jewelry are included among the company's unusual designs.

Frank DeLizza's history of the company further describes the development of D&E's strung bead jewelry during the 1970s, when Judy DeLizza worked with combinations of turquoise, coral, bone, wood and other materials to create a distinctly different fashion direction from the company's earlier rhinestone jewelry.

This necklace is a wonderful example of that adventurous late-period DeLizza & Elster design aesthetic—a dramatic mixture of color, texture, beads and sculptural charms that is unmistakably of its era while still making an exceptional statement today.

Details

• Designer: Juliana / DeLizza & Elster
• Date: Circa 1979
• Style: Mayan-inspired beaded charm necklace
• Colors: Turquoise, terracotta, cream and gold
• Metal: Gold tone with antiqued metal charms
• Length: Approximately 19 inches
• Reference: Nearly identical variation shown in Frank DeLizza's book, page 140, dated 1979
• Additional Reference: Mayan-inspired DeLizza & Elster jewelry discussed and illustrated in Ann Pitman's reference book
• Authentication: Confirmed Juliana (DeLizza & Elster)  IsItJulianaJewelry #: 6121