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THBMoche Gold Tweezer Implement Anthropomorphic
Lot 161
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
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$4,000 - $6,000
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 24, 2022
Set Reminder
2022-03-24 10:00:00
2022-03-24 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Antiquities Ethnographic Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-antiquities-ethnographic-fine-art-9057
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (416)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A fine pair of tweezers skillfully made from a hammered sheet of 50.89% (equivalent to over 12 karat) gold folded in half. Slightly convex, each side presents in the shape of a Tumi featuring a rounded bottom with petite extended wings on each side and a thick neck that tapers to a top in the form of anthropomorphic head. The haunting visage exhibits a pair of heavy-lidded, almond-shaped eyes, a small, straight nose, prominent nasolabial folds, and a rectangular mouth with delineated teeth. The head is flanked by four vertically striped triangular embellishments, perhaps representing hair, as well as a pair of annular ear spools, while a strand of circles serving as a collar necklace graces the face's chin. The folded area above the head is tubular with two drill holes for suspension. Precious metal quality: 50.89% gold (equivalent to 12K+), 44.53% silver, 4% copper; Size: 2.625" W x 3.875" H (6.7 cm x 9.8 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand; Weight: 24 grams.
The use of metal in Andean cultures is spectacular and scholars posit that thee metalworks were associated with ritual rather than solely utilitarian purposes. Tweezers like these were just some of the multitude of silver, gold, and bronze objects placed into elite Moche tombs. Gold items, like this example, were reserved for the tombs of nobility.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-The Old Curiosity Cabinet, Ian Arundel collection, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA, collected 1950 to 1970 (The Old Curiosity Cabinet was the meeting place of all the old collectors in the 1950s and 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.
#161528Collection label on interior. Expected light surface wear commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellentCondition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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