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Moche Spear Thrower Effigy of a Standing Warrior

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Moche Spear Thrower Effigy of a Standing Warrior
<B>Spear Thrower with Effigy of a Standing Warrior</B></I><BR>Moche<BR>A.D. 100 - 600<BR>Copper<BR>Length 13 in. Width 1 7/8 in.<BR><BR>This spear thrower is made of three components: a fabricated rolled tube, a cast dart hook, and an elaborately-developed cast thumb rest. Brads were used to attach the cast pieces to the shaft, and impressions in the age patination indicate that the dart hook was further stabilized with a cord wrapping. The thumb rest shows an armed warrior standing on a platform. His complex headdress includes a crescent-shaped centerpiece with a mask at its base, while behind this is a war club head amid three bowl-shaped forms. From the front the side two bowl-shapes are in part visible below the blade. The warrior wears a tunic, which once showed checkerboard divisions. A war club is propped against his left arm and a circular shield with central boss against his right. In his raised hands he holds two pointed objects reminiscent of the bags carried by runners in various painted representations. A flap hangs down from his back, with an eroded projection centered on his back. The whole may originally have shown an animal pelt pouch. Green encrusted age patination covers the spear thrower, with rust at the jointure of thumb rest and shaft.<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii<BR><BR>