Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 10th to 11th century CE. A beautiful funerary mask made of hammered copper, with several small, pierced holes on the upper forehead for affixing it to a mummy bundle. The face has a fascinating shape, with a deep, v-shaped ridge that meets at the raised nose and a long, low rectangle below the nose to the bottom of the mask. This creates a deep triangle for the forehead, with the bridge of the nose rising from it, and raised, mountain-like shapes that contain the eyes and earrings. Sparkingly iridescent round shell inlays form the eyes. The mask has an affixed, curved copper nose ring. The shape of the face gives it an owl-like appearance. Size: 10.05" W x 8" H (25.5 cm x 20.3 cm); 9" H (22.9 cm) on included custom stand.

This mask was made to adorn the body of a deceased elite member of the Sican society - gold was for lords, silver for noble women, and copper for wealthy commoners. Sican elites were patrons of workshops that made fine metal objects like this one, and they took their wealth with them when they died. Buried in mounds, they would be entombed in high style.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#129658

Slight bending to form with a tiny loss to one corner of the forehead. Light encrustation on surface and pale green patina.