Description:

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Sinu River Region, Sinu (Zenu) culture, ca. 1000 to 1450 CE. A sumptuous set of earrings formed from lustrous tumbaga via the lost wax (cire perdue) casting technique. Each semicircular ornament features a central suspension ring with an opening along one side, a lower register of delicate, zigzagging filigree strands, and dozens of slender rods radiating outwards along the lower periphery. Atop each shoulder is a petite, stylized eye or perhaps a bird with a slanted wing. The surfaces of each accessory have developed fine layers of patina that glint in the light. Size of each (both are relatively similar): 1.38" W x 0.91" H (3.5 cm x 2.3 cm); tumbaga quality: 47% to 48% copper, 44.8% to 45.2% gold, 6% to 6.5% silver; total weight: 6 grams.

Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 1974.271.58 and 1974.271.59.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Hollis Brodrick collection, Connecticut, USA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#169712

  • Condition: Slight bending to ear wire, bodies, and radiating rods along bottom, with light encrustations within some recessed areas, and a couple of petite casting flaws, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina and surface luster throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

January 27, 2022 9:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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