Each time I visited Guatemala as an adult I sought the antique silver coins that accent this necklace in the Antigua city open market place area. There, I also found the small silver crosses called "Caravaca Cross" and the red small beads. The red beads are possibly fake coral-not sure what material they are. I will be reworking the necklace when I find the venetian trade beeds used on the better necklaces. There are some round sterling silver beads, turquoise and, onix.
The word "Chachal" is from the Quiche Maya language it means-necklace. Many of the indigenous people of Guatemala still proudly wear gorgeous embroidered blouses called "huipil' over a hand weaved skirt called "corte" and to further adorn this hand woven colorful outfit they wear the necklaces called "chachales" Every village has a distinct set of symbols and styles for their clothing that distinguish them from other villages of Maya decedent.
I tried finding a good link to give you for more information on Chachales.
This is all i could find on the web.
http://revuemag.com/2009/02/guatemalas-unique-chachales/
This is an article that was included in a publication for English speaking expatriates in Antigua Guatemala.
'Caravaca" crosses are described briefly in this link
http://www.luckymojo.com/caravaca.html
Great page and paintings. The necklaces are beautiful, are they for sale? are the paintings for sale? Can you sell from this page or do you have a website? These are things people wonder about. The blog is great I like your story on ethnic art and your friend Peggy
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