Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 1000 to 1350 CE. A rare ceremonial tumi formed from a lengthy sheet of hammered copper with a slightly flared handle and crescent blade at one end. Along both sides of the handle are incised crosshatching lines and 4 repeating motifs of Nylamp, the legendary hero founder of the Lambayeque and god of the underworld. He is highly stylized and abstract, shown in profile facing right, one arm and leg extended. Tumis are ceremonial knives that often accompanied the warrior or shaman into the afterlife and important figures painted or molded on ceramic vessels are often seen holding these ceremonial objects. Nylamp was lauded as the traditional founder of the Lambayeque dynasty and 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. A stunning and symbolic example! Size: 13.6" L x 4.5" W (34.5 cm x 11.4 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Jurgen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#171745
Condition
Small, nearly indiscernible repair to corner of tumi blade; the rest is in excellent condition. Great patina throughout.