Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Sican/Lambayeque, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A remarkable example of the exceptional luxury arts created by the Sican/Lambayeque peoples, this piece is comprised of 51.43% gold sheet (equivalent to 12K) that has been skillfully cut, hammered, and modeled into an impressive depiction of Naylamp (also Naymlap, Nanlap, or Nylamp), the legendary founder of the Lambayeque dynasty who is believed to have come from the south by sea to colonize the region before allegedly sprouting wings and flying off into the sunset in a dramatic display of his magical powers. The deity's visage presents with bold features - heavily lidded almond-shaped eyes, a fleshy nose, an open mouth, nasolabial folds, and full cheeks - and is bedecked with a grand headdress, earspools, and a beaded pectoral/collar. Precious metal quality: 51.43% gold (equivalent to 12K) and 45.69% silver. Size: 1.4" W x 2.125" H (3.6 cm x 5.4 cm); 4.1" H (10.4 cm) on included custom stand; total weight: 6.4 grams

Sican elites were patrons of workshops that made fine objects made from precious metals like this example. Hammered silver or gold pieces were coveted and created for the tombs of individuals of the highest status. Buried in mounds, these important Sican individuals were certainly entombed in high style.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; Ex Hirsch collection, Germany, 1950 to 1960

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#161533

Effigy is removable from display stand. Small areas of damage to peripheries around verso, with light encrustations, slight bending to perforations along upper surfaces, and a few stable hairline fissures along upper and lower peripheries. Great patina throughout and nice preservation to figural details on obverse. Old inventory label beneath bottom of effigy.