Sican Lambayeque Silver Bridge Spouted Vessel

**Originally Listed At $500**

Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Sican / Lambayeque culture, ca. 750 to 1370 CE. A charming and rare twin-spouted silver stirrup vessel with a spherical body and conical, flared base. The stirrup has a low relief stepped motif, just visible in places underneath the encrusted patina, reminiscent of the sides of a pyramid. Metalwork was a Lambayeque specialty, much of it made at the site of Batan Grande, with a tradition that lasted roughly 600 years. Based on burials, we know that only the most elite members of society had access to metal objects (the classes below them had ceramics designed to look like metal objects), but we also know that these members of society were very wealthy and that the demands for metal objects like this silver vessel were incredibly high for the small number of people consuming them. This society flaunted its wealth and was prosperous for a long period of time. Size: 3.7" W x 4.95" H (9.4 cm x 12.6 cm); precious metal quality: 76% silver; total weight: 54.7 grams

Provenance: ex-private Sneed collection, West Palm Beach, Florida, ex-private Florida collection acquired in the 1990's

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.

#144501
Condition Report: Tiny piece missing from top of one spout; otherwise very nice form, with areas of heavily encrusted patina, mainly on one side and the base, from exposure to a copper item.