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Large Sicán Gold Head Beaker ca. A.D. 900-1100
Estimate
100,000 - 150,000 USD
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Description
- gold
- Height: 9 5/8 in (24.5 cm)
formed with the classic Sicán lord’s face in repoussé, with crossed fangs, broad nose, and comma-shaped eyes, wearing a cap secured with rounded headband, the coiffure hanging in thick tapering plaits at the back and weighted by a horizontal band trimmed with small discs, secured overall at the back with a chevron band centering a large medallion.
Provenance
John Wise
Acquired from the above by the present owner's family in 1966
Acquired from the above by the present owner's family in 1966
Condition
Excellent overall; minor small dents on back and ears.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
The large gold beakers featuring the Sicán deity, or lord, are one of the most iconic objects of the period. Often referred to as Naymlap, this is the principal deity considered to be the mythical founder of the dynasty. The crossed fanged mouth, large comma-shaped eyes and detailed coiffure, are key features seen on the beakers, tumis and textiles of the period.
The beakers were made with skillful knowledge of hammering and annealing large sheets of metal, requiring huge ingots to be beaten and formed into the beaker shape with repeated cooling in water and reheating. The powerful image of the Sicán lord’s facial details were worked from the interior outward, and finer details chased for further refinement. The back of each head shows the style of coiffure which was of great importance in ancient Peru. Here the thick strands are weighted and decorated with individual discs. See Jones (1985: cats. nos. 69 and 71) for the head beakers in the Jan Mitchell Collection, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.