Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Sican-Lambayeque, ca. 750 to 1375 CE. A hand-carved wooden throne from the Sican-Lambayeque Empire which was known for creating the pyramids at Batan Grande and exquisite hand-hammered gold masks with characteristically almond-shaped eyes. The large sitting platform is supported by two squatting anthropomorphic figures with inlaid Mother-of-Pearl eyes and arms crossed over their chests in the ceremonial position of a royal attendant on one side - and a pair of legs in the shape of these figures' silhouettes on the other side. All four legs are integral to lower plinths. Not only is this design unusual, with the platform supported by anthropomorphic figures, it is also extremely rare to have a wooden throne that has survived the tests of time. Size: 16.25" W x 7.375" H (41.3 cm x 18.7 cm); 9.75" H (24.8 cm) on included custom stand. Case: 13" L x 23" W x 12.5" H (33 cm x 58.4 cm x 31.8 cm)

The Sican culture, which succeeded the Moche culture, is also known as the Lambayeque culture, named for the region in Peru. Interestingly, some archeologists and anthropologists still dispute whether the two were distinct cultures. Most of what we know about Sican comes from a large area called the Batan Grande Archaeological Complex, a huge ceremonial and cemetery site for a little-understood ancient civilization. With pyramids rising over 40 meters high and thousands of tombs, the area represents a lengthy period of occupation.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Bruce Rogers collection, California, USA, 1960 to 2000

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#162482

Loss to center and peripheries of the curved platform. Anthropomorphic legs have some expected age wear with a few stable fissures/cracks, but are in remarkable condition otherwise and still have mother of pearl eyes. Comes with custom, lucite covered case.