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THE OAXACA 'YALALAG CROSS":

The Yalalag cross is a particular style of Christian cross made in Yalalag, Oaxaca, Mexico. These crosses are generally made of heavy, dark coin silver,while others are made with sterling.. There are many variations on the basic design, where various subjects that hang from the terminals. They vary in length from 2 to 6 inches & local women wear the crosses on strings of beads and pendants with birds or pomegranates.(Squash Blossoms, like this one)

This particular cross has been made in Yalalag since at least the sixteenth century. They have an undetermined origin; similar crosses are worn in Spain, and the design is thought to have been brought to the area by Dominican missionaries who converted the local native population to Christianity. The traditional Yalalag cross originated in Salamanca, Spain and was brought to Mexico by the friars during the colonial period. Over time, the indigenous Oaxacan silversmiths adapted the design and incorporated their own personal styles and elements.

Over time the cross lost its Spanish character and became a Mexican object made by the local natives. Its design predates the conquest of the area by the Spanish. The women of Yalalag are known to have worn triple crosses when they encountered Hernando Cortes' soldiers and priests during their ventures in the area. The priests incorrectly concluded that Christian missionaries had preceded them

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VINTAGE RED TRADE BEADS:

I was told by Federico that these red beads are much older than the 19th century red Venetian white heart beads that are used in his necklaces which are shipped via the Ivory Coast in Africa.(click on 'Necklaces")

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THE NECKLACE:

This Oaxaca necklace reaps nothing less than a culturally rich & very undeniable look of Oaxaca..Thoughtfully put together with the lengthy turn of the century era Oaxaca Yalalag cross, are old hand made-chunky size sterling beads, old pomegranate sterling squash blossom beads & extremely old, red vintage trade beads.

If you love any & all things "Oaxaca" while proudly wearing a necklace with a historical past, then this is a necklace you can wear with pride!