Pre-Columbian, south coast Peru, Incan Empire, ca. 1200 to 1532 CE. A wonderful cast-copper ceremonial tumi, a curved, crescent-shaped blade topped by a long tubular handle with a finial decorative motif of a man and a jaguar. The man is standing upon attenuated legs and wears an elaborate cap while holding a slender leash in both hands. The leash is wrapped around the neck of a standing jaguar, with a spotted body and perky ears, shown eating a fish or some other animal. Covered in areas of light-green, dark-green, and russet-hued patina, this is a fabulous example from the ancient Inca! Size: 3.625" W x 5.125" H (9.2 cm x 13 cm); 5.625" H (14.3 cm) on included custom stand.

The tumi was sometimes used to sacrifice llamas to the sun god. The Paracas people, also from the Andes, used the tumi for human trepanation, thought to open the mind to religious enlightenment; it is unknown if the Inca conducted similar practices, but they may have done so. In modern Peru, a tumi on the wall is a symbol of good luck.

Provenance: ex-private southern Florida, USA collection, acquired from Artemis Gallery around 2008; ex-private southwestern USA collection

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#136747

Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age, loss to one tip of tumi blade, fading to finer details, and roughness across most surfaces. Nice earthen deposits and great green and russet patina throughout.