**Originally Listed At $32000**
Pre-Columbian, North Coast of Peru, Sican / Lambayeque, ca. 10th to 11th century CE. A fabulous and impressive number of 14K gold - 691 to be exact - of gold dress appliques - all circular with the exception of the U-shaped copper ornament at the center. This luxurious ensemble was made to adorn the body of a deceased elite member of the Sican society; gold was for lords or kings, silver for noble women, and copper for wealthy commoners. Sican elites were patrons of workshops that made fine metal objects like these appliques, and they took their wealth with them when they passed away. Buried in mounds, these individuals would be entombed in high style. These appliques are sewn to a modern tunic that imagines how these beautiful pieces were attached to clothing. Size of tunic: 25" W x 16" H (63.5 cm x 40.6 cm); 16.5" H (41.9 cm) on included custom stand; average applique size: 0.5" W (1.3 cm); quality of gold: 58%
This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world's largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Arundel Collection "Old Curiosity Cabinet" Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA, collected 1950-1970
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 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.
#136578
Condition
Tunic cloth fabric is modern. Appliques are attached to modern fabric with modern thread. Normal areas of surface wear and patina to gold. Some bending of forms. Minute nicks and tears to areas of peripheries. Excellent presentation.