Chimu Culture silver effigy beaker or ‘Kero’. Peru - A.D 1000 - 1400. Cylindrical form with repousse facial features including a prominent nose, rimmed eyes, and down-turned mouth. Wearing a tall turban with triangles along the reverse, indicating coiffure or textile.

SIZE: Height - 9.25” (24 cm) / Weight - 107.9 grams

PROVENANCE: Previously sold at a Sotheby’s Pre-Columbian Art sale in New York, May 27th, 1998 - Lot No.267. Private San Francisco collection.

NOTES: The Chimu culture of the North Coast of Peru (ca. 1100-1470) was distinguished for the high quality of its metalwork, especially in silver and gold. Chimu beakers were made by hammering the silver (or gold) over a wooden form, and then soldering the joints. They are usually explained by referring to rituals of exchanging and drinking corn beer from such vessels, which they called "keros". Most surviving examples of "keros" are wood, but we know that the highest status individuals drank from gold and silver vessels.

NO RESERVE - NO BUYERS PREMIUM

Overall darkened oxidized patina to the silver. Piercing to the silver body near the right eye, at the nose. Small pinpoint holes near the top rim. Slight wrinkled deformations to the silver body.