Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche Culture, ca. 100 BCE to 100 CE. An impressive Moche tumi, a ceremonial knife formed from high-quality copper - 99% - with a lord king warrior finial holding a mace in one hand, with an atlatl or spear thrower and shield in the other. Dressed like a lord king, he wears an elaborate sun disk headdress with a mushroom finial in the front, an owl head necklace, and a belt presumably of trophy heads around his hips. A petite bird additionally accompanies this lord king with its head peeking out from his proper right side and its legs and wings displayed behind him. The verso of the figure is additionally adorned with a pair of vertical loops on his feet and headdress. A very special example, replete with impressive artistry and historical value, all enveloped in a gorgeous, seafoam green patina. Size: 1" W x 6.625" H (2.5 cm x 16.8 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand.

Warfare and warriors are recurrent themes in Moche art, a strong testimony to the violence of Moche society which was riven by intense rivalry and competition. After battles, triumphant warriors ceremonially severed the heads of their opponents, hence trophy head motifs often appear in Moche visual culture.

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

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#165675

Intact and excellent with nice patina.