c.2nd-5th century AD. A gold-alloy crescent-shaped pectoral with repoussé openwork serpents and terminals representing masked decapitator god figures in dynamic poses, each holding a Tumi; free-running hanging dangles and raised bosses to the body and costumes, shell and sodalite inlay used decoratively and to highlight elements of costume, weaponry and facial features. See The Metropolitan Museum, accession number 1979.206.1239, for a comparable ornament. 53.12 grams, 25.5cm (10"). From the collection of M. Storsbergen, Netherlands; acquired 1968-1974; accompanied by a signed Yanto Alexander Fine Art catalogue description; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10952-179029. Moche was once a powerful state located on the north coast of modern-day Peru. The pectoral was an essential element of Moche royal costume in this period, worn exclusively by kings and religious figures of high status; an example such as the one offered here would have been placed beneath the chin of the deceased as part of the burial ceremony. The gold used here is a mix of gold alloy, silver and copper (Tumbaga gold); precious metals had many symbolic meaning for the Moche people and this combination may have been intended to express ideas of duality. For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price

Fine condition.