Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast of Peru, Chavin culture, ca. 500 to 300 BCE. A magnificent shell and semi-precious stone miniature maskette head of the Andean Staff God also known as Lanzon. The shell panel is carved with an anthropomorphic face, the surface is inlaid like a mosaic with shards of orange spondylus and white shells, cobalt blue lapis, and green chrysocolla. The visage is fierce, with bared teeth and enormous fangs - Lanzon was believed to have a jaguar head and a human body. The verso is pierced with several holes for suspension / sewing to clothing and/or attaching dangling ornaments to the lower edge. An important deity in the Andes region, the Staff God has been interpreted as the precursor to the sun, moon, and thunder deity pantheon of the Inca. Size: 1.3" L x 1" W (3.3 cm x 2.5 cm); 3.25" H (8.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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#179824

  • Condition: Minor surface wear, otherwise intact and excellent. Light mineral deposits.

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August 18, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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