Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chavin culture, ca. 1200 to 500 BCE. An opulent vessel formed from 59% gold (equivalent to over 14 karats) hammered into an elegant form with a cylindrical body and circular rim, all sitting upon an annular, concave base. Simply stunning, the lustrous walls of the remarkable vessel boast wonderful relief decoration of a pair of horizontal striations flanking 2 registers of circular motifs. An impressive example from ancient Peru! Size: 4" in diameter x 3.375" H (10.2 cm x 8.6 cm): Gold quality: 59% (equivalent to over 14 karats); Weight: 63.4 grams
This dazzling vessel represent some of the earliest gold work from the Andes. The first known extraction of ore comes from the Initial/Formative period, ca. 1800 to 900 BCE; during the Early Horizon (ca. 900 to 200 BCE), when these were made, the Andes seem to have been united under the cult propagated out of Chavin de Huantar. Metalwork was still quite rare, and almost exclusively of gold.
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Alex Gordon collection, New York, USA, acquired from 1950 to 1970
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#164491
Condition
Repaired in 2 places with restoration over break lines. Some indentations and bending to areas, but form is still clear.