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THBRare / Superb Moche Gold Owl Bell, Spondylus Inlays
Lot 203a
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
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$6,500 - $8,500
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| $300 | $50 |
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| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Mar 9, 2023
Set Reminder
2023-03-09 10:00:00
2023-03-09 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Ancient, Ethnographic, & Fine Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-ancient-ethnographic-fine-art-12354
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (413)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 700 CE. This stunning gold 71.5% (equivalent to 17K+) ornament portaying a stylized owl, with wings delineated in repousse on the back of its rounded body, and the head twisted to stare backwards, with spondylus shell eyes. The hollow body contains tiny balls inside the hollow body for use as a bell with 2 piercing through the breast for suspension. The bird is constructed from flat pieces of sheet gold that were hammered and beaten into repoussé parts, and then soldered together.The owl was revered by the ancient people for its special characteristics that were associated with the underworld; nocturnal hunters with silent flight feathers, strong talons, and uncanny ability to rotate its head 180 degrees as demonstrated here! The large tufts on the head characteristic of several Peruvian owl species. Size: 1.75" L x 0.8" W x 1.3" H (4.4 cm x 2 cm x 3.3 cm); 3.2" H (8.1 cm) on included custom stand; gold quality: 71.5% (equivalent to 17K+); weight: 11.6 grams
Such three-dimensional forms were characteristic of the Transitional phase of gold work on the North Coast after the collapse of the Chavin culture. Owls represented gods, warriors, sacrifices, and shamans. An anthropomorphic owl appears in Moche art and served as a principle good, a supernatural warrior associated with night and death.
Provenance: private Superior, Colorado, USA collection, ex Bernstein Gallery, New York CIty, New York, USA; ex-Jan Mitchell collection, prior to 1980
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#177799Minor indentations to body, otherwise intact. Bell does not make noise. Choice. Old inventory label on base.Condition
- Shipping Info
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