Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. Three gorgeous, matched cast copper birds, probably made by the same metalworking shop. The birds are depicted in flight. Each has S-shaped wings with two open circles on their ends. Their heads project upward from the body, big-eyed and big-beaked, and their tail feathers stretch outward from their backs at a ninety-degree angle. Each wing dips sharply downward at its tip, with two small, ring-like hooks hanging off of them, presumably so the birds could be sewn onto tunics or otherwise attached decoratively. Birds in Moche culture - as in many others - were seen as powerful creatures because of their ability to fly. All displayed together on a pretty tree-shaped custom stand. Size of one: 1" W (2.5 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex H. J. Westermann collection, Germany

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#132601

Encrusted deep turquoise patina on surface, with nicely preserved form and some details remaining.