Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 500 CE. A lovely and large facet from an earspool, made of shell and turquoise with the pieces arranged to create a lordly figure! A disc-shaped piece of shell creates the base for the motif to rest upon, and a ring of Spondylus and nacre (mother of pearl) shell encircles the exterior edge. Atop the disc is the arrangement of pieces, a nacre zigzag pattern on the outer edge surrounding an anthropomorphic man or deity figure replete with earspools, a tumi shaped headdress and tumi implement across his body. In one hand is a nacre implement with turquoise inlaid into the surface. Earspools were commissioned by powerful lords and kings who wanted to display prestige and, what better way than to wear large earspools that depict a deity or lord that also wears earspools! The iridescent, colorful materials, especially Spondylus, had symbolic meaning for many Pre-Columbian cultures. These shells and stones were likely attached to a wooden disc or plug as a complete spool. Size: 1.8" Diameter (4.6 cm); 3.5" H (8.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s

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#164514

Section of a larger spool. Tip of nacre implement in lord's hand is reattached. Chips and losses to shell pieces on face, but motif is largely intact. Mineral and earthen deposits on frontside and verso.