Tiahuanaco Royal Silver Crown + Pectorals, ex-Messick

Pre-Columbian, Tiahuanaco (also Tiwanaku) culture, Lake Titicaca region of Bolivia, ca. 400 to 600 CE. A large, rare, and important silver ensemble fit for a king! Heavy hammered silver sheet crafted into a crescent-shaped centerpiece with openwork "stepped pyramid" rectangular sections below supported by ten silver wires wrapped around the junction of the two sections. Crafted separately are 3 thick pectorals in abstract forms, each perforated for suspension onto a tunic or necklace. Size: 12.75" W x 13" H (32.4 cm x 33 cm); 17" H (43.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Although art from Tiahuanaco might seem simplistic compared to the art found in Moche and Nazca cultures from about the same time period, it has a certain primitive strength to it that appeals to a large following of collectors and enthusiasts. Their silver work is typically larger and much heavier than that found in other regions of South America.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection acquired from Ron Messick gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in the 1990's

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#136580
Condition Report: Quite excellent condition with minor areas of wear and roughness to be expected of an item of this age. Repair to tip of one wing of lower pectoral.