Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A frightening-faced rattle, depicting the countenance of the god Ai Apec in copper. He bears the identifying marks of the god, with feline fangs extending from his fierce mouth, wide, staring eyes, and a vertically-striped headdress. Ai Apec was associated with the protection of the food supply of the Moche people. Rattles in the form of faces seem to have had shamanic, healing power in this ancient culture. Size: 4.15" W x 3.7" H (10.5 cm x 9.4 cm); 5.95" H (15.1 cm) on included custom stand.

See a similar, face-shaped Moche rattle in the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/308890

Provenance: private Andrade collection, New York, NY, USA, acquired 1960s; ex Knoedler & Company

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#131482

  • Condition: Mottled dark red and green patina on surface. Rattle is no longer functional - the copper would have been wrapped around something else and sealed to create a rattle. Very nicely preserved motifs.

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March 1, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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