Previous studies have interpreted greenstone objects referred to as Olmec “spoon” pendants based on hypothetical utilitarian functions that they might have served. This study argues that the unique form of these pendants is actually based on the shell of the wing oyster (Pteria), a nacreous pearl-forming bivalve found on either coast of Mesoamerica. The study of these skeuomorphic recreations of shells sheds light on conceptual relationships between jade and iridescent shell, as well as the ideological motivations behind such material substitutions. Although wing oyster pendants were produced during only the Formative period, the Classic Maya continued to value pearls, formed by such nacre-producing mollusks. This study demonstrates the frequent appearance of pearls in Mesoamerican artwork. Wing oyster pendants constitute an early basis for the ritual interchangeability of jade, shell, and pearl, and the widespread conceptual associations of these valued materials with breath, wind, and ancestors among later Mesoamerican traditions.

以前的研究已经根据它们可能具有的假设功利功能解释了被称为奥尔梅克“勺子”吊坠的绿石物体。这项研究认为，这些吊坠的独特形式实际上是基于翅牡蛎（Pteria)，一种形成珍珠质的双壳贝类，发现于中美洲的任一海岸。对这些贝壳的拟物再造的研究揭示了玉和虹彩贝壳之间的概念关系，以及这种材料替代背后的意识形态动机。尽管仅在形成时期生产了翅牡蛎吊坠，但经典玛雅人继续重视由这种产珍珠层的软体动物形成的珍珠。这项研究证明了珍珠在中美洲艺术品中的频繁出现。翼牡蛎吊坠构成了玉、贝壳和珍珠的仪式互换性的早期基础，以及这些珍贵材料与后来的中美洲传统中的呼吸、风和祖先的广泛概念关联。