Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, ca. 100 to 300 CE. An elegant black wooden tupu, an ancient Andean version of a brooch or shawl pin, with a finial in the form of a seated monkey eating a fruit, perhaps a cherimoya - a wonderful South American delectable delight with thin green skin and white flesh. The monkey has inlaid shell eyes, and there is a band of inlaid shell and turquoise disks below the figure as well as two more shell disc inlays on the simian creature's shoulders. Monkeys have always fascinated humankind, with their zany antics that seem to mirror and at times parody humans. Understanding simian creatures as mimics of human culture, most ancients of the Americas regarded the monkey as a mediary between man and the supernatural. A wonderful example, replete with suberb artistry and lively iconography. Size: 8.625" H (21.9 cm); 9.25" H (23.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany
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#145263
Condition
One disc inlay below the monkey is missing. All others are present. Small surface loss about 2" below the sitting monkey. Otherwise excellent.