Pre-Columbian, Central Coast of Peru, Chancay-Huari Transition Period, ca. 700 to 1000 CE. A hand-carved wooden funerary mask exhibiting incredibly lifelike details and vibrant red pigment. The countenance features a sharply crooked nose, thin lips curled into a smile, a pointed chin, flush cheek bones, and ovoid eyes once adorned with inlays; remains of the bitumen or adhesive material surrounds the sockets. The tall forehead was likely adorned with a textile wrap, and remains of the original bindings are visible within 4 shallow recesses on the verso. Size: 4.1" L x 5.8" W x 9.5" H (10.4 cm x 14.7 cm x 24.1 cm); 12.5" H (31.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s to 1960s

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#184915

Minor abrasions to surfaces, with losses to both eye inlays, fading to pigment on the face, and chipping around peripheries and along verso, otherwise intact and excellent. Wonderful preservation to lifelike facial features. Previous inventory label on verso.