Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Inca culture, ca. 1300-1500 CE. A fine example of a Tumi or sacrificial ceremonial axe with the traditional semi-circular blade and two bird of prey finials made from one piece of copper and used by an Inca culture in the Peruvian Coastal Region. In Andean mythology, the Moche, Chimu and Incas were descendants of the Sun, which had to be worshiped annually with an extravagant celebration. The festival took place at the end of the potato and maize harvest in order to thank the sun for plentiful crops or to ask for a better harvest during the next season. During this important religious ceremony, the High Priest would sacrifice a completely black or white llama using a tumi. The fact that this tumi is adorned with a pair of birds of prey is significant. The soaring flight patterns of birds of prey made them ideal metaphors for the sun. Their speed, visual acuity, and powerful talons were also models for the successful hunter and warrior. Today in Peru people hang a tumi on a wall for good luck. The tumi is the national symbol of Peru. Custom, museum-quality stand included. 5-1/4"L x 3-7/8"W at widest point

Provenance: Ex-Westermann Collection, Germany, collected 1950s-1960s.

All items in this auction are legal to buy/sell under U.S. statute covering cultural patrimony per United States Code 2600, CHAPTER 14 -- CONVENTION ON CULTURAL PROPERTY, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Normal oxidation and wear. Intact and excellent.

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June 13, 2014 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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