Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Early Moche, Loma Negra, ca. 100 to 300 CE. An amazing pair of matching and incredibly large earspools with exceedingly long gilded copper tubular backings. Each gilded copper discoid form is adorned with a snail comprised of a 96% silver shell delineated in high relief and a greenstone mosaic body. Total weight: 78.7 grams. Precious Metal Composition: snail 96% silver, earspool body copper gilded with 20% gold. Size: each measures ~ 3.5" L x 2.875" W (8.9 cm x 7.3 cm); 5.875" H (14.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Interestingly, earspools such as these were commissioned by a very powerful lord who wanted to show his animal attributes. It is common to find jaguars and birds of prey depicted in earspools such as these, but we cannot help but wonder the reaction one received from being called the great "Snail Lord". He probably made decisions very slowly or was very slippery in battle. In all seriousness, the snail conveyed layers of metaphorical symbolism to the ancients of the Americas. We know that the Aztec moon god named Tecciztecatl, for example, had a snail shell on his back that was said to symbolize rebirth. The snail’s tendency to appear and disappear within its shell apparently drew parallels with the moon.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Ian Arundel collection, California, USA, the Old Curiosity Cabinet, Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA, collected 1950-1970

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#108760

Gilded copper shows some surface wear with scuffs to surface and minute nicks to peripheries. Otherwise both are very nice with wonderful patina. The silver snail shells present a few petite indentations and nice patina as well. Collection labels on versos of circular faces.