Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A gorgeous nose pendant, hammered from a sheet of 69% gold (equivalent to 16K+), with raised decorations on the body that create a checkerboard pattern filled with circles. The adornment narrows to 2 thin prongs at the top that serve as the hooks for holding it into the nose. A repeated design of ovals decorates the bottom periphery, while the upper edge is embellished by a row of circles. Size: 2.125" W x 1.625" H (5.4 cm x 4.1 cm); 2.625" H (6.7 cm) on included custom stand; Gold quality: 69% (equivalent to over 16 karat); Weight: 3.2 grams

The crescent form of this object mirrors that of many known Moche gold items such as headdresses and pectorals, all of which likely impressed viewers of the ancient world with their reflective quality and rich hues. Beyond the purely aesthetic, this shape was also probably associated with beliefs about the moon. We know that among the later Inca, Si, the moon goddess, was thought to be more powerful than the sun, because she could be seen both at night and during the day. Interestingly, this object likely belonged to a male, because, according to various scholars, gold was reserved for elite men, while silver was reserved for elite women in ancient Peru.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Eugene Lions collection, Geneve, Switzerland, acquired from 1960 to 2000

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#164489

Collection label on verso. Slight bending to upper prongs. Otherwise, intact and excellent with light patina and great luster throughout.