Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 750 to 1370 CE. A pair of Sican silver tupus with beautiful bird finials - comprised of 96% silver. The birds display wonderful detailing on both sides - notice their outspread wings and tailfeathers - and their wide opened eyes as each one flies downward as if darting through the skies toward a floral bud to pollinate it. Birds were popular motifs for various Pre-Columbian cultures; the ancients believed them to serve as messengers between humankind and their deities of the celestial realm. Size: each measures about 5.5" H (14 cm); 8.25" H (21 cm) on included custom stand. Weight: 10.2 grams. Silver quality: 96% silver.
Most of what we know about Sican comes from a large area called the Batan Grande Archaeological Complex, a huge ceremonial and cemetery site for a little-understood ancient civilization. Building pyramids and thousands of tombs, the Sican occupied this region for a lengthy period. Fabulous finds - often containing gold and silver objects - mark out the graves of the ancient elite. These tombs were filled with human sacrifices, mantles made of shell and feathers, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, scepters, arrows, effigy jars, and vessels like these probably once were.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany
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#144577
Condition
Both show expected surface wear commensurate with age. One of the pins has more indentations along its length, presenting an attractive pattern that may have been intentional.