Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 500 CE. An impressive 14 karat gold disk adorned with a warrior depicted in composite profile wielding a club and shield donning a long coiffure and fanciful headdress. Perforation for attaching to garment or suspension as a pectoral. Custom, museum-quality stand. Size: 3" (7.6 cm) in diameter.

Moche artists frequently depicted warriors and warrior activities, and these depictions can be found in museums and private collections today. The combat they depict appears to be ceremonial rather than militaristic. The elaborate clothing and ornaments worn by Moche warriors indicate that they were people of high status—almost certainly members of the aristocracy. They must have willingly participated in combat, even though capture and sacrifice of some of the participants would have been the predictable outcome.

Provenance: Ex-private A. Trautgott collection, Florida.

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#101670

Intact and near choice.