Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast of Peru, Moche culture, ca. 6th to 7th century CE. A lovely nose ring hammered from a thin sheet of 95.92% silver into a crescent form of 2 coiling snakes and 4 long-necked water birds. The nearly symmetric ornament features an ovoid nose ring at the center enveloped by the spiraling bodies of both snakes whose heads meet at the middle. The birds stand atop the serpents, seemingly pecking at the reptiles with their lengthy beaks. 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. Depictions of snakes were also common in Moche culture, though their meaning is less clear. Scholars posit that the annual shedding oft their skins may have been symbols of renewal and regeneration. Size: 6.4" W x 3.2" H (16.3 cm x 8.1 cm); silver quality: 95.92%; weight: 19.8 grams

A nearly identical nose ornament can be seen in the Cleveland Museum of Art under accession number 2005.177.

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#183371

  • Condition: Some bending to form and minor areas of surface chipping and hairline fissures, but otherwise intact and excellent with good remaining detail and rich patina throughout. Encrustations on verso.

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January 18, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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