Pre-Columbian Requay Copper Mirror Case
**Originally Listed At $1500**
Pre-Columbian, northern highlands of Peru, Recuay culture, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A fascinating and rare mirror case, made from cast copper. The back of the piece would have once had a polished face of jet or obsidian. The handle is a janiform human head with simple features, large ears, and a round cap or headband. Below him, on the decorated back of the case, is a relief scene composed of curved, fine lines: a maze of jaguars and serpents with visible teeth and eyes, but highly abstract in form. Similar examples known from ancient Peru suggest that it may have once had inlays of gold, shell, or colorful minerals. Size: 2.8" W x 2.8" H (7.1 cm x 7.1 cm); 4.3" H (10.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Around 200 to 300 CE, the Recuay developed a highly sophisticated metallurgical tradition, creating weapons, items for personal adornment, and objects like this mirror. The artwork on the piece repeats religious/mythological themes common to the Recuay and indeed the other Andean people of their time, suggesting cultural contact and shaping of ideas. The jaguar and serpent motifs represent two of the most powerful creatures in the ancient Andean bestiary, admired by people for their wildness, fierceness, and power.
See a similar, less ornate example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Muira Hiroshi collection, Japan
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#131900
Condition Report: Extensive encrustations in interior, including a resin that was probably used for holding on the face. Nice dark green copper patina.
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**Originally Listed At $1500**
Pre-Columbian, northern highlands of Peru, Recuay culture, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A fascinating and rare mirror case, made from cast copper. The back of the piece would have once had a polished face of jet or obsidian. The handle is a janiform human head with simple features, large ears, and a round cap or headband. Below him, on the decorated back of the case, is a relief scene composed of curved, fine lines: a maze of jaguars and serpents with visible teeth and eyes, but highly abstract in form. Similar examples known from ancient Peru suggest that it may have once had inlays of gold, shell, or colorful minerals. Size: 2.8" W x 2.8" H (7.1 cm x 7.1 cm); 4.3" H (10.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Around 200 to 300 CE, the Recuay developed a highly sophisticated metallurgical tradition, creating weapons, items for personal adornment, and objects like this mirror. The artwork on the piece repeats religious/mythological themes common to the Recuay and indeed the other Andean people of their time, suggesting cultural contact and shaping of ideas. The jaguar and serpent motifs represent two of the most powerful creatures in the ancient Andean bestiary, admired by people for their wildness, fierceness, and power.
See a similar, less ornate example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Muira Hiroshi collection, Japan
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#131900
Condition Report: Extensive encrustations in interior, including a resin that was probably used for holding on the face. Nice dark green copper patina.
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Time, Location
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