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Moche Ceremonial Gold Tweezers with Human Head

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Moche Ceremonial Gold Tweezers with Human Head
<B>Ceremonial Tweezers with a Central Human Head</B></I><BR>Moche (early)<BR>200 B.C. - A.D. 100<BR>Gold; turquoise (?); traces of red pigment, Weight 58 grams<BR>Height 4 3/8 in. Width 8 1/8 in.<BR><BR>Outward-facing bird heads terminate the large arced crescent of the tweezers. A staring frontal head forms a focal point above the center of the arc, with a suspension loop at top center. The eyes of both frontal head and bird heads are inlaid with turquoise-colored beads. Circular ornaments dangle from each ear. Such large tweezers in gold must have transcended their utilitarian origins and have become designators of power and prestige. While the overall condition is good, the head of the proper left bird is damaged, with the stone missing from the eyes and the central head is separating at its left. There is minor edge denting overall.<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii<BR><BR>