Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. This is a small copper axe blade with a flared half-circle at the bottom. The top has a wonderful figure of a lord with a huge headdress or crown. The edges of the blade are very slightly sharpened, but this object almost certainly served a votive function and was not used as a weapon or tool. They were sometimes used to sacrifice llamas to the Sun. The Paracas people, also from the Andes, used the tumi for trepanation; it is unknown if the Moche did similar, but could have been done. In modern Peru, a tumi on the wall is a symbol of good luck. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2" W x 4.5" H (5.1 cm x 11.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Ventura County, CA collection

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#118326

Small loss to one edge of blade, with green patina.