47193

Sihuas Gold Diadem and Pectoral

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
Sihuas Gold Diadem and Pectoral
<B>Diadem and Pectoral</B></I><BR>Sihuas<BR>A.D. 100 - 300<BR>Gold<BR>Diadem Height 6 1/8 in. Width 6 in.<BR>Pectoral Height 4 1/2 in. Width 5 3/4 in.<BR><BR>While a series of diadems made of thin embossed gold sheets and closely related to this example have been published in an article devoted to the type (Colin McEwan and Joerg Haeberli, "Ancestors Past but Present. Gold Diadems from the Far South Coast of Peru", in Colin McEwan. <I>Precolumbian Gold Technology, Style and Iconography.</B></I> Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2000, pp.16-27.), parallels for the trapezoidal companion piece (probably a pectoral) have not been published. The diadem shape is reminiscent of a bird silhouette, but lacking the head. Executed in a broad repoussé technique, both diadem and pectoral have as the central motif a greatly-simplified frontal face with large eyes, rudimentary nose and mouth, and vertical strips in the chin area that suggest a beard. The diadem is bordered by circular bosses and its crown area has a human face similar to the main one. The principal face has a large beaded forehead band and beaded streamers along the sides of the face. The central face of the pectoral, located in the top center area, is sketchily presented, but noticeable pupils have been added to the eyes. Both pieces have a few small age tears along the edges. The lower edge of the diadem was probably folded, leaving it creased and wrinkled, with stains in its lower proper right area.<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco: sale 7477E, 8 December 2003, lot 3066, pp.20-21 (there mounted with a feather-covered band being offered as a separate lot in the present sale)<BR><BR>