Lot 62E
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, Loma Negra, ca. 300 to 100 BCE. An elegant and incredibly large 12K gold tupu - a pin used to close a tunic - depicting four birds - each one rendered with cut feathered plumes, a protruding round belly in repousse, a bulging eye in repousse, and pointy beak - riding a serpent rendered with a long body and an angular head presenting a bulging eye, and slightly open mouth, open just enough to reveal its long, curled tongue. Size: 11.5" L x 1.25" H (29.2 cm x 3.2 cm) Size: 11.5" L x 1.25" H (29.2 cm x 3.2 cm); 6.5" H (16.5 cm) on included custom stand. Weight: 14 g
In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were sky animals associated with the sun, the moon, and all the celestial elements. As flying creatures, birds served as messengers between humans and the sacred deities of the celestial realm. Snakes were favorite subjects for the Moche and depictions of them abound, regarded to be a beneficial source of nourishment and at the same time quite deadly with their poisonous venom. In addition, the annual shedding of their skins made them ideal symbols of renewal, health, and regeneration.
Loma Negra is known for exquisite Andean metalwork. See various pieces of goldwork from Loma Negra at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and for further reading consult Deborah Schorsch's "Silver and Gold Moche Artifacts from Loma Negra, Peru": Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 33 (1998).
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Fred Leighton (a famous jeweler) Collection, Madison Avenue, New York, New York
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#132539
- Condition: Small loss to upper section of mouth. Otherwise generally excellent save slight tarnish.
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