Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. This is a small copper axe blade with a flared, flattened half-circle at the bottom. The edges are very slightly sharpened, but this object almost certainly served a votive function and was not used as a weapon or tool. This particular example has a very cool handle, in the form of a crouched animal that appears to be a jaguar. Larger tumi were sometimes used to sacrifice llamas to the Sun. The Paracas people, also from the Andes, used the tumi for trepanation; it is unknown if the Moche did similar, but they may have done. In modern Peru, a tumi on the wall is a symbol of good luck. Size: 3.45" L x 1.75" W (8.8 cm x 4.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-New Jersey Collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#117454

Excellent shape, with deep blue-green patina