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Moche Headdress Gold Ornament with Feline Head

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:12,000.00 - 18,000.00 USD
Moche Headdress Gold Ornament with Feline Head
<B>Headdress Frontal Ornament with Feline Head</B></I><BR>Moche (Early)<BR>100 B.C. - A.D. 200<BR>Gold, turquoise or chrysacola, Weight 106 grams<BR>Height 7 1/2 in. Width 13 in.<BR><BR>Parallel crescent-shaped bands arc outward from the central base to establish the overall configuration of this ornament, which formed the central frontal element of a high status headdress for a secular or religious leader. Near each end these bands are stabilized by a smaller arced strip moving perpendicularly to the sweep of the main strips. Small circular danglers are attached along both edges of both strips. When worn these would have created a brilliantly shimmering screen of light above the wearer's head. The central ornament base has an attached repoussé feline head. It is flanked by two loops to which were attached dangling blue-green paws (either turquoise or chrysacola), the proper right of which remains. Where the whiskers of the feline head would have grown, the proper right retains a projecting gold wire with a triangular dangle. A remaining hole indicates that there was one at the left as well. Four slots for attachment to the headdress were cut on the broad basal tab. Five of the circular dangles are now missing. Other than minor cracking in the feline head and light surface staining, the condition is very good.<BR><BR>This lot is sold with a technical report from Orenda Investigation and Analysis of Artifacts and Antiquities, Santa Fe (Frank Aon).<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Collection of Eugenia Alvarez<BR>Katalin Horvath, Budapest<BR>David Bernstein Fine Art, New York (1975-2002)<BR><BR>