Pre-Columbian, north coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 BCE to 400 CE. A wonderful ensemble of five opulent labret plugs exhibiting applied copper or nacre ornamentation as well as cylindrical forms shaped from thin sheets of 72% to 86% gold (equivalent to 15K+ to 18K+) with 12% to 23% silver included in the alloy. The most petite labret displays concentric stippled rings atop the discoid head. The second labret has a fluted upper border that surrounds a thick copper ringlet. The third labret features a zigzagging upper collar beneath an applied nacre disc. The fourth labret has a thick nacre disc secured with a slender gold boss. The largest labret has a bulbous border surrounding a dense copper applique. Size of largest: 0.8" L x 1.5" W (2 cm x 3.8 cm); quality of gold: 72% to 86% gold (equivalent to 15K+ to 18K+); quality of silver: 12% to 23%; total weight: 36.3 grams

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Eugene Lions collection, Geneve, Switzerland, collected between the 1960s and 2000

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#156969

Small areas of loss to walls of two smallest labrets as shown. Slight bending to overall forms of walls and front faces, with abrasions and nicks to copper and nacre panels, chipping to interior wooden plugs of some labrets, and darkening to surface color. Great patina to gold and copper components.