**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Sican / Lambayeque or Chimu culture, ca. 750 to 1370 CE. A silver drinking vessel with portrait-like face, gazing forward intensely with inlays of pink spondylus shell and turquoise stone - this is an extraordinary and rare example! These silver cups known aquillas (or kero when made of wood) were for ceremonial purposes that incorporated intricate religious libations and imbibing rites. Given how this is high quality 94.74% to 95.62% silver and elaborately decorated with turquoise and shell, the visage most likely represented an elite individual or mythical deity figure. To create this piece, the ancient metalsmith hammered a thin silver sheet upon a fine-grained stone anvils and hammer stones - sometimes with animal hide attached to prevent scratching, and a wooden template was used to create the form and its repoussé ornamentation. Size: 4.75" Diameter x 5.75" H (12.1 cm x 14.6 cm); silver quality: 94.74% to 95.62%; weight: 186.9 grams

Spondylus shell was a sacred shell among various Pre-Columbian cultures carrying numerous meanings such as fertility and elite social status. Silver was associated with the moon, nighttime, and the watery underworld that was analogous to the depths of the ocean. The main Chimu deity was Pacasmayo, the moon god, and the name Sican means "temple of the Moon." It must be noted that the moon was held in higher regard than the sun for these cultures! The Chimu Empire and Sican culture existed together until the Chimu conquest of the Lambayeque region. Most of what we know about Sican comes from a large area called the Batan Grande Archaeological Complex, a huge ceremonial and cemetery site for a little-understood ancient civilization. Building pyramids that rise over 40 m high and thousands of tombs, the Sican occupied this region for a lengthy period. Fabulous finds - often containing gold and silver objects - mark out the graves of the ancient elite. These tombs were filled with human sacrifices, mantles made of shell and feathers, lapis lazuli, cinnabar, scepters, arrows, effigy jars, and vessels like this superb piece!

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Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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#177427

Tiny tears and perforations to silver on base and a few small areas on repousse, which have been infilled in modern times and nearly indiscernible. Indentations and minor abrasions. Dark patina and toning as shown. Choice and excellent condition.