Description:

Pre-Columbian, Bolivia or Peru, Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) or Huari (Wari) culture, ca. 700 to 1000 CE. An incredible 73.23% to 79.41% gold (equivalent to 17K+ to 19K+) panel that was once part of a crown or headdress featuring the repousse face of a fanged deity known as the Decapitator or Staff God. The sheet of gold is hammered flat and cut into a trapezoidal shape with rounded corners and pinhole piercings in the center of both ends for mounting on a headdress band. At the center is the square and highly stylized visage of the enigmatic deity with a broad nose, almond shaped eyes, and a gaping mouth with large fangs like a jaguar or puma. The Decapitator was a ferocious half-human, half-animal mythological being - this gold headdress ornament would have inspired respect and possibly fear. Size (ornament): 6.5" L x 5" H (16.5 cm x 12.7 cm); (display case): 10.3" L x 7.8" W x 12.3" H (26.2 cm x 19.8 cm x 31.2 cm); gold quality: 73.23% to 79.41% (equivalent to 17K+ to 19K+); weight: 84.1 grams

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-Hirsch collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s-1970s

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#173739

  • Condition: Professionally repaired, infill to small tear along lower edge Indentations and age expected surface wear. Areas of green and brown toning and patina. Overall excellent with a museum quality display case.

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September 1, 2022 8:00 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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000