Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chimu culture, ca. 700 to 1470 CE. A pair of hammered thin sheets of silver with drilled holes for attaching leather straps to create sandals. Comes with custom stand shown here. Size of largest: 4" W x 6.9" H (10.2 cm x 17.5 cm)

The Chimu, cultural successors to the Moche, continued their tradition of defining social power through conspicuous wealth. When a Chimu monarch lived, they were also a deity; when they died, they retained that status and were buried in a specially constructed compound with a great deal of treasure. Excavated tombs of high status individuals found an incredible array of objects: ceramic pots, huge textile banners, tunics covered with plates made of precious metals, gold and silver jewelry and face masks, ornaments, and weapons - and silver sandals, like these two here. The Chimu ruled over a wealthy kingdom - their capital city, Chan Chan, is estimated to have a population of around 30,000 people, which would make it one of the largest cities in the pre-Columbian New World. There also seems to have been dramatic wealth inequality, with the rulers living in enormous compounds while the class of workers who created such beautiful objects as these sandals living in cramped quarters with limited access to water.

Provenance: Ex-Private Ventura County, CA collection

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#118319

Some tarnish on surface, especially on one side.