**Originally Listed At $900**

Pre-Columbian, northern Chile, Mapuche people, ca. 17th to 19th century CE. A heavy, gorgeous tupu, made of (92%) silver, featuring a cross hammered into the center of a large disc with two hammered borders around it. A large, long pin ending in a hook is attached to the back of the disc by a silver pin and a silver staple. The tupu is an ancient Andean version of a brooch or shawl pin; they are still used today to fasten lliqlla, a shawl pinned at the front. The Mapuche acquired silver from Spanish colonists in the form of coins; they melted these down to make a variety of beautiful objects, notably ornaments for women that signified their wealth and status. Size: 6.55" W x 11.6" H (16.6 cm x 29.5 cm); 13.7" H (34.8 cm) on included custom stand; silver is 92%; total weight: 171.9 grams

Provenance: ex-private San Francisco, California, 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.

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.

#148850

Light patina on surface. Slight bending to edges. Overall in beautiful condition.