Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 1000 to 1350 CE. A rare ceremonial tumi formed from a lengthy sheet of hammered copper with a slightly flared handle and crescent blade at one end. Along both sides of the handle are incised crosshatching lines and 4 repeating motifs of Nylamp, the legendary hero founder of the Lambayeque and god of the underworld. He is highly stylized and abstract, shown in profile facing right, one arm and leg extended. Tumis are ceremonial knives that often accompanied the warrior or shaman into the afterlife and important figures painted or molded on ceramic vessels are often seen holding these ceremonial objects. Nylamp was lauded as the traditional founder of the Lambayeque dynasty and equivalent to the Moche god, Ai Apec. Nylamp came from the south by sea and colonized the region before he allegedly sprouted wings and flew off into the sunset in a dramatic display of his magical powers. A stunning and symbolic example! Size: 13.6" L x 4.5" W (34.5 cm x 11.4 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Jurgen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s

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#171745

Small, nearly indiscernible repair to corner of tumi blade; the rest is in excellent condition. Great patina throughout.