Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chimu, ca. 900 to 1430 CE. A 14K gold bowl, intricately decorated in repousse, the composition comprised of four sections featuring monkeys, birds, and felines with stippled details, and 'framed' by borders adorned by spiral motifs. Examples like this have been found placed on the heads of the esteemed deceased, akin to helmets, in elite burial settings. Although gold was not favored as currency by Chimu civilization, it was treasured for its symbolic meaning. The Chimu believed it was associated with the sun and thereby spiritually powerful. What's more they believed that their rulers were living representatives of the gods. Hence it is likely that this piece was created for an individual of authority and/or nobility. A very special example of goldsmithery from this pre-Incan culture. Size: 3.875" in diameter x 1.875" H (9.8 cm x 4.8 cm); 12.6 grams

This piece has undergone XRF (x-ray flourescence) testing and contains 58% gold, 40% silver, and 2% copper. 58% gold indicates 14K gold.

Published in "Capturing the Sun, Master Craftsmen of Ancient Mesoamerica" for Art for Eternity gallery exhibition, October 2017.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; Jerrie Cobb Foundation: ex-Sotheby's New York

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#131241

There is a Sotheby's label on the underside of the hemispheric wooden form fitting the piece with "208" handwritten. Some creases and losses as shown, but otherwise excellent.