Mochica Gold Hollow-Core Corn Cob - FJ.5121, Origin: North Coast of Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 3.875" (9.8cm) high, Catalogue: V8, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Mochica Gold Hollow-Core Corn Cob - FJ.5121, Origin: North Coast of Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 3.875" (9.8cm) high, Catalogue: V8, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mochica, Medium: Gold. The Moche people of ancient Peru have been called the Greeks of South America, and with good reason. The rudimentary technical and artistic developements of earlier cultural styles achieved complete maturity in the Mochica phase. Rarely have any people at any time in human history created a more impressive picture of the variety of their daily life and of the gods they worshiped, than did the Moche people. The specialization of craftsmanship which began during the Chavin culture was developed further during this classic period, resulting in the evolution of an immense variety of special skills, the discoveries of the past forming the basis on which new techniques could unfold. This splendid artistic creativity and craftsmanship is brilliantly illustrated in this gold hollow-core corn cob, its simple form instilled with tremendous expressive power. Among other crops, corn was produced by the Moche in fields that were irrigated through the use of a highly competent system of irrigation, one which turned their river valley into fertile oases and assured the inhabitants of a plentiful food supply. Aside from turning their harvested corn into flour, the Moche also created Chicha, a type of beer made from fermented corn, consumed by the ancient Moche on ceremonial occasion. Perhaps then, this stunning golden ear of corn, pierced at either end, was worn by a priest as part of his ceremonial costume, suspended from his neck by a long cord. Or, it is possible that this symbolic work of art was originally woven onto a ceremonial headdress, for metal components formed an integral part of the elaborate headdresses worn during ritual ceremonies. Whatever its original function, this vibrant work of art remais today as a stunning example of the highly imaginative and expressive Moche culture, one which continues to cast its magic spell upon us.   « Less

Diquis Gold Staff Head Featuring a Jaguar - FJ.5755, Origin: Diquis Zone of Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1550 AD, Catalogue: V15, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis,  More »

Diquis Gold Staff Head Featuring a Jaguar - FJ.5755, Origin: Diquis Zone of Costa Rica, Circa: 1000 AD to 1550 AD, Catalogue: V15, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Diquis, Medium: Gold. Chiefs in Costa Rica competed among themselves for power of all kinds--for ritual and supernatural power, but also for power in the form of wealth and of trade goods from distant lands. Two important kinds of symbolic power possessed by chiefs were of jade and gold. Gold pieces, such as this magisterial gold staff head, were signifiers of political power and symbols of supernatural realms from which this power was thought to derive. The feline here is most probably the jaguar and represents a particular chiefdom. This ferocious jaguar appears dangerous to man with its grisly growl and piercing stare, revealing qualities that are exclusively worthy of the chief and the chiefdom to possess. The erect tail and ears display an enduring vigilance of the chief comparable to that which only the supernatural powers could sustain. We can be sure that the chief who possessed this magnificent gold piece had no difficulty at all in competing with other chiefs for power of any kind and was revered equally by both human and supernatural realms.   « Less

Gold Pendant of a Man in a Ceremonial Costume - FJ.6235, Origin: Calima Region of Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high, Catalogue: V23,  More »

Gold Pendant of a Man in a Ceremonial Costume - FJ.6235, Origin: Calima Region of Colombia, Circa: 800 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high, Catalogue: V23, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Calima, Medium: Gold. The gold ornaments that have thus far been retrieved from the Calima region include unidentifiable male figures wearing enormous nose rings. This fantastic pendant shows such a personage who is probably a great shaman dressed in ritual costume. He wears a circular shaped headdress, like a crown, with studs on the lower portion and flared rim on the upper section pierced with a series of hales. His coil shaped earrings are almost hidden by the nose ring, which flares outwards like tongues of fire stretching behind his head. It then continues down in three separate sections, acting as a sort of ornamental breastplate. In both hands he holds staffs or scepters, bath encircled with two double-banded rings. He seems also to be wearing an actual breastplate with a horizontal bar extension half covering his pubic region. This pendant may represent the very person who wore the pendant, seen in his ritual regalia. If this were true the individual would have been covered in gold items. With this pendant we become privileged viewers of a fantastic ceremony, a remarkable moment in time held forever in gold where bath ornament and wearer are equally resplendent.   « Less

Sinu Gold Knob of a Ceremonial Staff Featuring a Bird - FJ.6238, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 600 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V23, Collection:  More »

Sinu Gold Knob of a Ceremonial Staff Featuring a Bird - FJ.6238, Origin: Colombia, Circa: 600 AD to 1600 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V23, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Pre-Columbian, Medium: Gold. Some of the indigenous animals of Colombia are beautifully represented in Sinu jewelry. The goldsmiths delighted in depicting the fauna of the lowlands and swamps with considerable realism. It is interesting to note that the aggressive traits of animals were not emphasized. Rather, their showy aspects are given predominance, as seen in this very lovely bird on top of a ceremonial staff. The chiefs and shamans of Pre-Columbian times loved pomp and ceremony, and there is nothing that better illustrates both than the staff. It is symbol of prestige, honor and power. Basically a simple object intended to impress and awe, this knob does just that by its excellent and superb artistry. The handsome bird has abstract qualities blended with realistic details. Its wings are neatly folded on the back, segmented with two side-by-side series of holes and incised along the ridge to give the impression of feathers. The tail is essentially a triangle composed of three triangles inside, which balances perfectly with the gorgeous crest. It is as if the bird is dressed for a special occasion, with double banded ankle bracelets around each leg. The base itself has 'windows' on each side segmented by four diagonal and two vertical bands, each in a different configuration. The overall effect is an object that is both splendid and subtle, rich and delicate; full of character, wit and charm that shines as brilliantly as the gold.   « Less

Mochica Tumbaga Crown - FZ.235, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 600 AD, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 9.5" (24.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian,  More »

Mochica Tumbaga Crown - FZ.235, Origin: Northern Coast of Peru, Circa: 1 AD to 600 AD, Dimensions: 4.125" (10.5cm) high x 9.5" (24.1cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mochica, Medium: Tumbaga. The Moche people of ancient Peru have often been called the Greeks of South America, and with good reason. The rudimentary technical and artistic developments of earlier cultural styles achieved an astonishing maturity in the Mochica art style. The specialization of craftsmanship which began during the Chavin culture was developed further during this classic period, resulting in the evolution of an immense variety of special skills, the discoveries of the past forming the basis on which new techniques could unfold. This artistic creativity and craftsmanship is dramatically illustrated in this gilt copper diadem, its relatively simple form instilled with a spirit of elegant beauty. The diadem is formed from a wide circular band, joined at the back and pierced throughout for attachment with three rows of gilt copper medallions, each of flattened circular shape some of which are missing. In antiquity, the diadem would have been part of a larger headdress incorporating a turban and decorative feather work as well. We can just imagine the powerful image created when an important member of Moche society adorned himself with this regal attire. How fortunate we are that a vestige of this brilliant culture remains today, able at an instant to captivate our imagination and thrill our senses.   « Less

Mochica Gold Nose Ornament - PF.1017, Origin: Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mochica, Medium: Gold. Since  More »

Mochica Gold Nose Ornament - PF.1017, Origin: Peru, Circa: 100 AD to 500 AD, Dimensions: 6.125" (15.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Mochica, Medium: Gold. Since the dawn of time, the jewelry with which a person adorns himself has been a barometer of social status and rank. It is easy to imagine that the individual who wore this elegantly simple crescent of gold in ancient Peru was a tribal chief or a warrior of renown. We can picture him--majestic, mysterious, a little aloof-- a man given stature by this golden armor for the face.   « Less

Sican Gold Janiform Beaker - PF.1196, Origin: Peru, Circa: 850 AD to 1100 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sican, Medium:  More »

Sican Gold Janiform Beaker - PF.1196, Origin: Peru, Circa: 850 AD to 1100 AD, Dimensions: 4" (10.2cm) high, Catalogue: V6, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Sican, Medium: Gold. Fabulous golden treasures were buried in the tombs of the Sican lords along the La Leche river in Peru. Beakers like this probably served a ritual function during the liftime of the Sican nobility, and were then placed in the tombs to accompany their owners through eternity. Looking at the proud, artistocratic features of the Janus-like pair on this vessel, we can easily understand the individuals for whom such radiant objects were created. The beaker exudes a powerful air of magic, the regal confidence of a people very sure of their elevated place in the cosmos.   « Less

Chimu Gold Double-Sided Appliqué of a Warrior - PF.1248, Origin: South Coast of Peru, Circa: 1100 AD to 1400 AD, Dimensions: 2.125" (5.4cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide,  More »

Chimu Gold Double-Sided Appliqué of a Warrior - PF.1248, Origin: South Coast of Peru, Circa: 1100 AD to 1400 AD, Dimensions: 2.125" (5.4cm) high x 1.75" (4.4cm) wide, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Chimu, Medium: Gold. With incredible detail, this ancient gold jewel depicts a warrior with the wings and talons of a hawk. Though recognizably human, he seems to possess the predatory strength and swiftness of the bird. Crafted in the repousse technique, the applique shows both the front and back views of this fantastic creature. In ancient Peru, great warrior cults often chose powerful animals or birds as their guiding spirits. This was perhaps an insignia of office or a badge of rank for a great leader. Though small in scale, it glows with a power undimmed by the passage of time.   « Less

Chimu Gold Appliqué Depicting a Woman - PF.1960, Origin: North Coast of Peru, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.375" (8.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style:  More »

Chimu Gold Appliqué Depicting a Woman - PF.1960, Origin: North Coast of Peru, Circa: 800 AD to 1200 AD, Dimensions: 3.375" (8.6cm) high, Collection: Pre-Columbian, Style: Chimu, Medium: Gold. Throughout history, in every part of the world, mankind has buried its honored dead adorned with precious gold. In ancient Peru, the tombs of nobles and kings were stacked high with golden objects to suggest their owner's importance in this world and to ensure his high status in the next. This unusual hammered applique was perhaps attached to a cloth shroud or canopy which was then draped over the deceased. Depicting a nude female, it is clearly conncected with the notion of fertility and rebirth. Such ideas are as old as human culture itself, and the passage of time has in no way lessened the primal power of this golden ornament.   « Less

In the traditional form of an important Mayan personage or diety, this pottery rattle is in very good condition. While none of the original pigment paint remains, other than  More »

In the traditional form of an important Mayan personage or diety, this pottery rattle is in very good condition. While none of the original pigment paint remains, other than some traces of white slip, the features and garments remain clear. The hair style, jewelry and robes depict the elaborate ritual traditions of the Maya. This figure with upraised hands may have been a priest. The ear spools, elaborate arm adornment, necklace and robe all tell us he was important. No cracks or breaks. Height 7.75", width at shoulders 4.75". Period 550-850 CE   « Less