**First Time At Auction**

South America, Peru, Colonial / Republican Period, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful ceremonial staff that represented prestige and power among Andean people, the wood is covered in high quality silver sheets. The 86.7% to 95.5% silver sheets are repousse and etched with floral motifs and corn / wheat sheaths and a lengthy iron tip is set on the end. Staffs in Andean cultures were important markers of status and during post-conquest / colonial times, staffs were often decorated and carried by community leaders and some are still used in Catholic rituals today! The quality and durability of the materials allowed many of these staffs to be passed down through generations and some that are still in use today may be 200 years old! Size: 41" L x 1.75" W (104.1 cm x 4.4 cm); silver quality: 86.7% to 95.5%

For a similar example of this type of staff, please see the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian website, catalog number: 21/8535 and 21/8515, which was part of the exhibit "Infinity of Nations" from October 2010 to 2020.

Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010

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#177424

Wear to iron tip commensurate with age and use. Repair to finial pommel head, stable fissure vertically on silver panel and indentation, with adhesive residue to this area. Rest of silver is in good condition. Dark patina and toning on silver and iron. Wood is sturdy and excellent.