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THBAmazing Moche Wood Scepter Finial
Lot 82b
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$5,000 - $7,500
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Aug 22, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-08-22 10:00:00
2019-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-ancient-asian-ethnographic-art-4348
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Russian, Fine Art, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (401)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 400 CE. Wow! An incredibly preserved, extremely rare wooden scepter finial. It depicts a structure with a lord inside of it, perhaps meant to be a litter with a roof, a temple, or an altar. Two kneeling guardian figures, probably meant to be warriors based on the round purple shell discs each holds, presumably representing maces, are in front of the figure, facing outward, on the same platform as the lord. The lord wears a crescent-shaped crown made of creamy white shell; similar shell forms crescent-shaped pectorals worn by the guardians, and a border around the edge of the platform. Below the platform is a flared, conical socket for attaching this to the top of a scepter, decorated with discs made of white shell and pale blue turquoise. Size: 2" L x 1.55" W x 3.2" H (5.1 cm x 3.9 cm x 8.1 cm); 6.6" H (16.8 cm) on included custom stand.
The time of the Moche has been called the "Mastercraftsman Period" for its incredible artwork, especially with miniature depictions. This incredible skill is fully on display here. This is an evocative image that indicates the power of the lord to command such warriors. The kneeling warrior was an important motif for the Moche during this early part of the Moche period. For example, over twenty ceramic kneeling warrior vessels were found in the high status tombs at Loma Negra, in the Piura River Valley. Others have been found throughout that region. Warriors in this culture knew that to lose in battle meant not only losing face, but also the very strong possibility that they would become sacrificial victims, their bodies dismembered and possibly flayed to please the gods.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-H. Westermann collection
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.
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#144349Wood has dark, rich patina on surface, and is incredibly preserved for its age, with a few hairline cracks and small nicks from the corners. Shell and turquoise are also in nice condition, with a few small breaks and losses. Unrepaired and unrestored. Comes in a protective plastic case.Condition
- Shipping Info
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