Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A pair of wonderfully delicate, rare 53% gold & silver alloy ear plugs, each of similar form: a long cylindrical post capped at both ends by a hammered 69% gold disc. Each disc has been polished down so that the edges fit almost seamlessly into their silver border. Archaeologists in the middle of the 20th century called the Moche period the "Master craftsman Period" because of Moche artisans' proficiency - including their ability to work with valuable metals like gold and silver. Size of one (they are very similar in size): 0.5" W x 1.25" H (1.3 cm x 3.2 cm); gold is 53%, equivalent to 12K+ on the body and 69%, equivalent to 15K+ on the discs. Total weight: 8.4 grams

Provenance: ex-Bettina Schwimmer collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, collected from 1955-2006

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#150869

  • Condition: Both are in great condition with light wear commensurate with age. Rich patina on both surfaces.

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July 9, 2020 10:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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