Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca or Huari/Wari, ca. 300 to 1000 CE. An endearing sculptural piece depicting a sea lion or sea otter - comprised of a single piece of white shell with inlaid eyes comprised of dark blue shells. The head of the animal delightfully projects forward in high relief and wonderful detailing of his coat is finely incised. Drill marks through the surrounding periphery were created for attachment. Size: 3.125" W x 2.25" H (7.9 cm x 5.7 cm); 3.25" H (8.3 cm) on included custom stand.
Sea lions are a fascinating motif in ancient Peru. The people of this culture and others along in area - notably the later Moche - would have seen sea lions along the coast. Scholars believe that these animals were associated with human sacrifices, and we know from Moche art that they were ritually hunted (not just as a resource). Excavations of the site of Huaca de la Luna uncovered a tomb with a clay effigy of a sea lion and a sea lion canine tooth resting on the body's sternum. Some researchers have suggested that sea lions were associated symbolically with humans because of the animals' ability to live both on land and in the sea, placing them in a liminal space in the minds of people whose cosmology was ordered around the natural world. Whatever its meaning, this whimsical representation of the animal is a delight to behold.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from the 1950 to the 1960s
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#143628
Condition
Old chips above left eye - perhaps integral to the shell. Nice deposits here and there. Intentional perforations around the periphery for attachment. Inlays present and intact. Overall excellent.