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THBRare Moche Silver Tumi - Warrior & Jaguar Atop
Lot 30
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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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 3, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-10-03 10:00:00
2019-10-03 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 2: Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-2-pre-columbian-tribal-art-4453
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Pre-Columbian from the ancient Americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial and fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Pre-Columbian from the ancient Americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial and fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (300)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A solid, cast silver (76% silver) ceremonial tumi depicting a highly decorated warrior finial. The figure proudly stands holding a shield in his left hand and a spear in his left. A jaguar cub is perched atop his twisted headband, perhaps integral to the headdress. In addition, the detailing is very impressive. The warrior's face presents large ovoid eyes, a naturalistic nose, striations over his cheeks that may represent wrinkles, scarification marks, or 'whiskers' if this is a transforming jaguar shaman, an open grimacing mouth, and ears adorned with large hoop earrings. Straight locks of hair fall behind his head and that striated pattern is picked up in the garment flowing from his waist to the ground. An incredibly rare example - made of solid silver and quite hefty! Size: 7" H (17.8 cm); 8" H (20.3 cm) on included custom stand. Weight: 90.7 grams. Silver quality: 76%.
Scholars believe that tumis were first created on the Peruvian coast in the 3rd century BCE. Tumis oftentimes make an appearance in Moche iconography, depicted as used to slit throats of sacrificial victims. In addition, Tumis have been found in the tombs of elite Moche and Sican individuals.
The jaguar symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. The principal Moche god Ai Apaec wears a headdress adorned with a jaguar head and paws and important mortals donned similar headdresses. A nocturnal animal, the jaguar sleeps in caves and dark places and creeps quietly in the forest, evoking great mystery. Oddly enough, few Moche artists would have actually scene jaguars as they are not indigenous to the coast. Jaguars prefer moist forest conditions. However, scholars believe that some cubs were transported over the mountains for Moche rituals, and it is also possible that some jaguars wandered down the coast.
A Moche tumi made of copper (rather than a precious metal like silver) sold for $12,000 at Christies New York - Sale 1837 - 23 May 2007 - Lot 8 - https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/lot/mochica-copper-tumi-ca-ad-200--4916273-details.aspx?from=salesummery&intobjectid=4916273&sid=1d607e3b-866e-43a9-9bc3-7b6ff635f49d
Provenance: ex New World Artifacts, ex- Houston, Texas, USA collection
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.
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#148840Some loss to upper border of the shield. Otherwise excellent with normal age wear. Surface is graced with earthen/mineral deposits and nice patina.Condition
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