Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Viru Mochica Transition, ca 500 BCE-100 BCE. The Viru culture also known as the Gallinazo was a Pre-Columbian culture that flourished in the Viru Valley on the northwest coast of Peru and extended into the Moche and Santa Valleys. Like most ancient Andean cultures, these people produces masterful goldsmithery as we see in this example. This mask is a rare treasure. Not only is it beautifully gilded in gold, but it also presents an open-eyed visage. While close-eyed masks were created for the deceased, open-eyed masks were donned by dancers/actors performing ceremonial rituals. ~8-1/2"H x 7-5/8"W at widest point

Provenance: Ex-Ian Arundel Collection, CA, collected 1950s-1960s

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.

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  • Condition: Normal oxidation of copper in gold alloy. Minor loss of attached tendrils. One tiny perforation is incomplete. Else intact and excellent to near choice.

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October 24, 2014 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000