Lot 158
Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Sican / Lambayeque to early Chimu culture, ca. 700 to 1375 CE. A superb pair of electrum ear ornaments made from 62.3% to 62.9% (equivalent to 15K+) gold and silver alloy sheets; the surfaces embossed and cut, and the tubular shaft soldiered to the main disk. The spools are impressive for their scale and fine technical display as well as their intriguing iconography- on the circular flare is an imposing repousse lord, perhaps Nylamp, with a flared tumi headdress on his head. These ear spools reflect the authority and nobility of the undoubtedly elite owner in life and in death, the owner buried with treasures such as this to bring to the afterlife. Both gold and silver were treasured for their symbolic meanings; gold was associated with the sun and silver with the moon- both powerful celestial objects and deities in Andean cultures. Size: 3.125" L x 2" Diameter (7.9 cm x 5.1 cm); 4.5" H (11.4 cm) included custom stand. electrum quality: 62.3% to 62.9% (equivalent to 15K+) gold; 32.4% to 33.2% silver; total weight: 36.2 grams
The depicted figure is most likely Naymlap (also Naylamp, Nanlap, or Naymlap), the legendary hero founder of the Lambayeque and god of the underworld. He was the equivalent to the Moche god, Ai Apec. Nylamp came from the south by sea and colonized the region before he allegedly sprouted wings and flew off into the sunset in a dramatic display of his magical powers.
Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
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#179818
- Condition: Professionally repaired and restored. One flare disc is reattached to shaft with clear adhesive residue on surface and possible new gold material added to fill gaps. Small perforations and tears to shafts and along seams / soldering that connect to the disc flare and narrow end cap. Old inventory label and numbers on surfaces of both. Overall excellent and stunning presentation.
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