**Originally Listed At $800**

Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 750 to 1370 CE. A pair of appliques made from an alloy of 85% copper and 15% silver, each hammered and cut into the form of a crouched jaguar with a long face and curved tail. Each is made to be worn, sewn onto a tunic or other textile. Ancient Peruvian iconography often focuses on powerful predator animals: jaguars, caimans, eagles. In jaguar depictions, the eyes and the snarling mouth are often emphasized, focusing on the tools that the predator uses in the hunt. Why focus on these attributes? Some scholars believe that, as with the other predators, images of the jaguar were an aesthetic response to the mingled terror - this animal could kill a man - and admiration - this animal dominated its landscape - that ancient people must have felt. Size: 1.65" W x 1.7" H (4.2 cm x 4.3 cm); 5.25" H (13.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Hirsch collection, Germany, 1950 to 1970

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.

#131955

Slight bending to form, otherwise excellent!