Lot 154
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Loma Negra region, Moche culture, ca. 6th to 7th century CE. A stunning gilt copper funerary mask inlaid with white shells and blue lapis pupils! The copper sheet is hammered and cut into a forward-facing visage of a powerful lord, his head adorned in an openwork headdress with wavy flanges and animal heads. Lappets or earrings frame the sides, and remains of copper rivet wires throughout indicate there were once dangling ornaments that further accented this opulent mask. The stone eyes stare impassively forward above a wide repousse nose, impressed nasolabial lines, and thin mouth that define this portraiture. Masks were laid over/incorporated into mummy bundles of the face of important members of the society to give them a face and gilt copper and semi-precious stones denoted rank in the afterlife. Size: 7.5" L x 0.2" W x 6.5" H (19 cm x 0.5 cm x 16.5 cm); 8.5" H (21.6 cm) on included custom stand; gold quality 11.5% to 15.3%; weight: 86.6 grams
For a similar example of this funerary mask please see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, accession number: 1979.206.1278
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-Eugene Lions collection, Geneve, Switzerland, collected 1960 to 2000
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#173428
- Condition: Professionally repaired, with adhesive to tears along outer periphery of left animal head and earring. Age commensurate surface wear and chipping to gilt surface and abrasions. Overall excellent and in choice condition. Areas of green patina and missing dangling ornaments.
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