Wearing necklaces of restranded, antique beads. 

The shorter necklace, originally a choker, was purchased in the mid-2000s at the novelty shop in Banaue Hotel. I lengthened it with antique red, yellow, and blue connector beads to do away with its closure. I thought that the lozenge-shaped beads were made of cow bone and wondered why they were so expensive, until I later discovered that they were actually made of ivory. Though I bought this necklace in Ifugao, I suspect that its actual provenance is the famous Mary Ngalawen of Baguio City.

The longer necklace is comprised of gourd-shaped indigo beads and a solid, glass ball pendant, all allegedly dating back to the Mexican Galleon Trade. The connector beads are antique, blue-and-white beads and Chinese burial beads.

Photo by Neil de Leon