**Originally Listed At $750**

Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, ca. 300 to 500 CE. A beautiful pair of ear spools with 14K+ gold spiral faces on sterling silver plugs. The spiral motif may in fact be an abstract interpretation of conch or another marine shell form. Shells held great significance for the Nazca and as residents of the sea were oftentimes associated with water. Scholars have discovered that ancient underground water channels were sometimes marked by Nasca geoglyphs on the earth's surface. Furthermore, offerings have been found at these geoglyph sites, including conch shells. Some have suggested that these delineated spirals on the desert floor may refer to the spirals found in conch shells and thus may by extension symbolize water. This same shape has appered in Nazca puqios - tunnels that gradually descend into the earth to tap subterranean water channels and aquifers - allowing the Nazca to access water sources during drought periods. Size: .5" L x 1.125" W x 5.5" H (1.3 cm x 2.9 cm x 14 cm); Weight: 17.5 grams

These earspools have been XRF (x-ray flourescence) tested. The spiral faces contain 63% gold - more than 14K. The silver plugs contain 95 to 98% silver - thus qualifying as sterling silver.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; Ex Hirsch Collection, Germany

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#131936

Excellent!