Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. A carved shell pendant, chalky white in color, in the form of a fantastical anthropomorphic face capped by serpent heads - like a Pre-Columbian Medusa. The eye of the figure and the eyes of the three serpents are all deeply incised, each probably once having had an inlay of some other material. The chin is drilled through to allow the pendant to be worn. Who does this face represent? At the Chavin Old Temple - which dates from ca. 750 BCE - two staircases descend into a sunken court whose walls are lined with stone slabs carved with low-relief transformational, shamanic figures - including some whose human faces wear snake headdresses, believed to symbolize spiritual visions. Size: 1.2" W x 1.8" H (3 cm x 4.6 cm); 3.85" H (9.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex H. J. Westermann collection, Germany, collected 1960-70

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#132603

  • Condition: Intact, with light encrustation in lower profile areas and smooth patina from age and handling.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 8, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000