Rare Sican / Chimu Gold Tumi Scepter w/ Jaguars

Lot 271

About Seller

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

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About Auction

Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic Art by Artemis Gallery

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethno...

By Artemis Gallery

May 11, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-05-11 10:00:00 2023-05-11 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-pre-columbian-ethnographic-art-12771 Classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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Lot Description

**Originally Listed At $5000**

Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Sican / Lambayeque to Chimu culture, ca. 700 to 1100 CE. A superb example of a ceremonial tumi scepter shaped from a sheet of 53.8% to 55.5% gold (equivalent to 12K+), 39 to 41.1% silver, and 4% to 5% copper. The blade-shaped tumi body is straight and malleable and is topped by a pair of abstract figures. The seated figures, perhaps representing Naylamp, the traditional founder of the Lambayeque Dynasty, each hold a jaguar by the tail with the creatures' bodies inverted, and above is an enormous, crescent-shaped tumi blade with impressed edges. Two conical ornaments with spherical upper elements are suspended by wires from the outermost corner of the tumi blade and imbue the artifact with a delicate opulence. Size (tumi): 2.7" W x 8.1" H (6.9 cm x 20.6 cm); metal quality: 53.8% to 55.5% gold (equivalent to 12K+), 39% to 41.1% silver, and 4% to 5% copper; total weight: 40.5 grams; (display case): 4" L x 4.1" W x 10.4" H (10.2 cm x 10.4 cm x 26.4 cm)

The figures probably represent Naylamp (also Naymlap, Nanlap, or Nylamp), the traditional founder of the Lambayeque dynasty believed to have come from the south by sea to colonize the region before he allegedly sprouted wings and flew off into the sunset in a dramatic display of his magical powers.

Sican elites were patrons of workshops that made fine metal objects like this tumi and its danglers, and they took their wealth with them when they passed away. Buried in mounds, these individuals would be entombed in high style.

Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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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#177491

Condition

Tumi body possibly reattached to top of blade body with resurfacing along break lines. Slight bending to overall form of openwork tumi and blade body, with light abrasions, softening to some finer details, and some light earthen deposits, otherwise in excellent condition. Wonderful patina throughout.
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