Peru | Three-Dimensional Huacho Carved Wood Mask with Headband | | David Bernstein Pre-Columbian Art. Extensive inventory of Pre-Columbian art from South America, including ancient objects in ceramic, textiles, bronze, copper and gold.

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Peru, Chavin carved wood effigy of a shaman
Carved wooden effigy of a standing shaman holding a flute or serpent in front. The shaman has puckered lips as if he is whistling and appears in a trance like state. He is wearing a headdress, v neck tunic and belt with two long devices hanging down along the outside of each leg. On the back of the belt is a "U" shaped device of unknown use. From the top of the head emeniates a bone tube which has been broken. A similar shaman's face is illustrated in PRECOLUMBIAN ART OF SOUTH AMERICA by Alan Lapiner fig. 13. Wooden effigy figures are extremely rare and do not survive well. The left leg was broken off and re-attached and the evidence of age was apparent.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height 9.1/2"
Price Upon Request
95057

1 / 13

Peru, Chavin carved wood effigy of a shaman

Carved wooden effigy of a standing shaman holding a flute or serpent in front. The shaman has puckered lips as if he is whistling and appears in a trance like state. He is wearing a headdress, v neck tunic and belt with two long devices hanging down along the outside of each leg. On the back of the belt is a "U" shaped device of unknown use. From the top of the head emeniates a bone tube which has been broken. A similar shaman's face is illustrated in PRECOLUMBIAN ART OF SOUTH AMERICA by Alan Lapiner fig. 13. Wooden effigy figures are extremely rare and do not survive well. The left leg was broken off and re-attached and the evidence of age was apparent.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height 9.1/2"

Price Upon Request

95057

Peru, Chimu Wood Mirror Back depicting a lord
A large and well carved wood mirror back with a dignitary in full regaila wearing a nose ring and a large crescent shaped headdress. His face is also decorated with a tattoo. There is original cotton string bound to the handle. The pyrite mirror in the back is ancient but not original to the piece. A similar elaborate mirror back from the Chimu is illustrated in Alan Lapiner, "Pre-Columbian Art of South America" (1976: #625) That particular mirror was sold at Sotheby's auction May 19, 1993 for $30,000. My mirror was examined by Robert Sonin for authenticity May 25, 2006 Photo roll-out #3305 and #3306.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height 11"
Price Upon Request
98270

2 / 13

Peru, Chimu Wood Mirror Back depicting a lord

A large and well carved wood mirror back with a dignitary in full regaila wearing a nose ring and a large crescent shaped headdress. His face is also decorated with a tattoo. There is original cotton string bound to the handle. The pyrite mirror in the back is ancient but not original to the piece. A similar elaborate mirror back from the Chimu is illustrated in Alan Lapiner, "Pre-Columbian Art of South America" (1976: #625) That particular mirror was sold at Sotheby's auction May 19, 1993 for $30,000. My mirror was examined by Robert Sonin for authenticity May 25, 2006 Photo roll-out #3305 and #3306.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height 11"

Price Upon Request

98270

Peru, Huacho Carved Loom Bar with “Mooneater” Deities
This loom bar was once part of a backstrap loom - the most common loom type in the ancient Andes, dating back to the late Chavin Period. Andean backstrap looms are usually 22-28” in width. It would have been one of two bars needed to hold the warps together to the upper bar. This bar is elaborately decorated with an intricately carved “Mooneater” deity at each end.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Width: 24" x Diameter: 1/2"
$1,700
p2032H

3 / 13

Peru, Huacho Carved Loom Bar with “Mooneater” Deities

This loom bar was once part of a backstrap loom - the most common loom type in the ancient Andes, dating back to the late Chavin Period. Andean backstrap looms are usually 22-28” in width. It would have been one of two bars needed to hold the warps together to the upper bar. This bar is elaborately decorated with an intricately carved “Mooneater” deity at each end.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Width: 24" x Diameter: 1/2"

$1,700

p2032H

Peru, Inca Tiana Carved Wooden Seat
Tianas were originally made from a single block of wood during Inca times (1250-1500AD). These wooden seats and other specified goods were limited for use by the Inca class. Tianas continued to be used well after the Spanish conquest. A well known Tiana survives in the Berlin Museum.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length 14' x Width 11" x Height 4"
$8,000
M7012

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Peru, Inca Tiana Carved Wooden Seat

Tianas were originally made from a single block of wood during Inca times (1250-1500AD). These wooden seats and other specified goods were limited for use by the Inca class. Tianas continued to be used well after the Spanish conquest. A well known Tiana survives in the Berlin Museum.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Length 14' x Width 11" x Height 4"

$8,000

M7012

Peru, Inca Wood Polychrome Kero Incised with Spider and Geometric Designs
This kero is an extremely fine example of incising technique. The overall surface is incredibly intricate. The incision lines mimic the natural geometry imposed by the repeated motif of an abstract spider moving vertically on the upper and lower portions of the vase. The creature's body is highlighted with red, yellow and green paint. The central band is accented with patterned bands of diamonds and circles and squares in red, yellow, green, black and white. The rim and base are accented with simple green bands. Such great attention to linear detail and mastery of the incising technique suggests that this is an earlier kero (possibly 16th century). Examples illustrating the incising technique can be seen on p.54 of 'QEROS: Arte Inka en Vasos Ceremoniales', by Jorge Flores Ochoa. This book is part of the Coleccion Arte Y Tesoros Del Peru.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height: 5 1/4"
$12,500
MM110

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Peru, Inca Wood Polychrome Kero Incised with Spider and Geometric Designs

This kero is an extremely fine example of incising technique. The overall surface is incredibly intricate. The incision lines mimic the natural geometry imposed by the repeated motif of an abstract spider moving vertically on the upper and lower portions of the vase. The creature's body is highlighted with red, yellow and green paint. The central band is accented with patterned bands of diamonds and circles and squares in red, yellow, green, black and white. The rim and base are accented with simple green bands. Such great attention to linear detail and mastery of the incising technique suggests that this is an earlier kero (possibly 16th century). Examples illustrating the incising technique can be seen on p.54 of 'QEROS: Arte Inka en Vasos Ceremoniales', by Jorge Flores Ochoa. This book is part of the Coleccion Arte Y Tesoros Del Peru.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height: 5 1/4"

$12,500

MM110

Peru, Large Wari Carved Wood Lime Container Representing a Decapitator
This large wood lime container is carved in the form of a classic Wari decapitator holding a trophy head in his right hand. These containers were used to store lime, which assists the body in metabolizing cocaine alkaloids from ground coca leaves. The opposite side would have had him holding a tumi knife. The decapitator is wearing an elaborate costume with a puma mask and a tapestried tunic with feline profile faces. Below the mask is an elaborate pectoral of trapezoidal plaques. One half of the container is missing, and the inside reveals a storage chamber. The puma is elaborately decorated with classic Tiahuanaco motifs from the Gateway of the Sun. Evidence of inlays in the eye sockets exist. The container portrays a major sculpture in wood for this period. Another lime container in the National Museum of Copenhagen of the same height, 5.75" is illustrated in "Art of Empire, Museum of Primitive Art" - fig. 80.m. There is a chapter in the Peruvian publication Los Dios del Antiguo Peru - Dioses De Pachacamac El Idolo Y el Templo, pages 159-175, which discusses a carved wood idol on a staff. This staff in the book has many elements that are similar to this lime container, specifically the arched serpent and profile face.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height: 4 1/2"
$8,000
97158

6 / 13

Peru, Large Wari Carved Wood Lime Container Representing a Decapitator

This large wood lime container is carved in the form of a classic Wari decapitator holding a trophy head in his right hand. These containers were used to store lime, which assists the body in metabolizing cocaine alkaloids from ground coca leaves. The opposite side would have had him holding a tumi knife. The decapitator is wearing an elaborate costume with a puma mask and a tapestried tunic with feline profile faces. Below the mask is an elaborate pectoral of trapezoidal plaques. One half of the container is missing, and the inside reveals a storage chamber. The puma is elaborately decorated with classic Tiahuanaco motifs from the Gateway of the Sun. Evidence of inlays in the eye sockets exist. The container portrays a major sculpture in wood for this period. Another lime container in the National Museum of Copenhagen of the same height, 5.75" is illustrated in "Art of Empire, Museum of Primitive Art" - fig. 80.m. There is a chapter in the Peruvian publication Los Dios del Antiguo Peru - Dioses De Pachacamac El Idolo Y el Templo, pages 159-175, which discusses a carved wood idol on a staff. This staff in the book has many elements that are similar to this lime container, specifically the arched serpent and profile face.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height: 4 1/2"

$8,000

97158

Peru, Large Wari wooden lime container in the form of a seated man
This large Wari wooden lime container is in the form of a kneeling figure carrying an axe in one hand and a group of darts in the other. He wears a circular hat which is also the lid of the container and a pair of earspools.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height 4 3/4 in.
Price Upon Request
93123

7 / 13

Peru, Large Wari wooden lime container in the form of a seated man

This large Wari wooden lime container is in the form of a kneeling figure carrying an axe in one hand and a group of darts in the other. He wears a circular hat which is also the lid of the container and a pair of earspools.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height 4 3/4 in.

Price Upon Request

93123

Peru, Nazca Wooden Blow Gun with Wrappings
The blow gun is made from one solid piece of wood. It is stone-carved on the inside, and drilled from the narrow center section to the mouth piece. There are very few examples illustrated in the material culture of ancient people using blow guns for hunting, except for one famous example on a Moche mouth ornament, illustrated in the Dora and Paul Janssen collection catalog "MASTERS OF THE AMERICAS" on page 254. In this example, two hunters are using short blow guns to kill birds on tree branches with cactus thorn darts. This particular blow gun was found with a fancy double weave cloth fragment and fine yellow feathers strung together - perhaps to decorate the blow gun or used for camouflage. Tree thorns were also found at the site, probably for use as darts.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length: 18 1/4" Diameter at End: 2 1/2" Tapers to: 1 1/4"
$4,500
n2045

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Peru, Nazca Wooden Blow Gun with Wrappings

The blow gun is made from one solid piece of wood. It is stone-carved on the inside, and drilled from the narrow center section to the mouth piece. There are very few examples illustrated in the material culture of ancient people using blow guns for hunting, except for one famous example on a Moche mouth ornament, illustrated in the Dora and Paul Janssen collection catalog "MASTERS OF THE AMERICAS" on page 254. In this example, two hunters are using short blow guns to kill birds on tree branches with cactus thorn darts. This particular blow gun was found with a fancy double weave cloth fragment and fine yellow feathers strung together - perhaps to decorate the blow gun or used for camouflage. Tree thorns were also found at the site, probably for use as darts.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Length: 18 1/4" Diameter at End: 2 1/2"
Tapers to: 1 1/4"

$4,500

n2045

Peru, Pari of Huacho Carved Baby Carrier Posts with Reversible Figures
These beautiful wood baby carrier posts are elaborately carved with figures at the top. Each figure is reversible and appears fully carved form either side. Texas collection, prior to 1990.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length: 31"
$2,400
p2030H

9 / 13

Peru, Pari of Huacho Carved Baby Carrier Posts with Reversible Figures

These beautiful wood baby carrier posts are elaborately carved with figures at the top. Each figure is reversible and appears fully carved form either side. Texas collection, prior to 1990.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Length: 31"

$2,400

p2030H

Peru, South Coast Wari Carved Wooden Trumpet with Face
This Wari trumpet has been wrapped in bands with a tar covered cotton rope. It has the typical trumpet pitch. This is a rare object to find so intact.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length: 16.5 Inches
$7,500
n3018

10 / 13

Peru, South Coast Wari Carved Wooden Trumpet with Face

This Wari trumpet has been wrapped in bands with a tar covered cotton rope. It has the typical trumpet pitch. This is a rare object to find so intact.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Length: 16.5 Inches

$7,500

n3018

Peru, Three-Dimensional Huacho Carved Wood Mask with Headband
This wood mask with headband has an applied cinnabar decoration with an unusual step design around the mouth. This is an exceptional mask for Peru in that it is well carved in the round with a high degree of realism. Most of the wood masks from Peru are carved from flat slabs of wood with a small nose which is sometimes made separately and attached.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: H. 7 x W. 6 in. mask only
$22,500
91005

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Peru, Three-Dimensional Huacho Carved Wood Mask with Headband

This wood mask with headband has an applied cinnabar decoration with an unusual step design around the mouth. This is an exceptional mask for Peru in that it is well carved in the round with a high degree of realism. Most of the wood masks from Peru are carved from flat slabs of wood with a small nose which is sometimes made separately and attached.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: H. 7 x W. 6 in. mask only

$22,500

91005

Peru, Wari Carved Wood Konopa in the form of an alpaca
Konopas were sacred offering containers carved in the shapes of llamas and alpacas. This example is carved from balsa wood in the unmistakable form of an alpaca, distinguished by its long hair, especially flopping over the eyes. A round cavity was carved into the animal's back for the purpose of holding an offering. Once filled, probably with a mixture of llama or alpaca fat and blood, the carving was subsequently placed in pastures to secure the fertility of herds and the land, both so essential to the ancient Peruvians. Most known extant konopas are from the later Inca period and were generally carved from stone. A wide variety of Inca stone examples are illustrated in "Gold of the Andes: The Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas and Guanacos of South America," 2 vols. (Barcelona, 1994, Vol. I: 20 and 21). The stone Inca examples of alpaca konopas are from Helmut Schindler "The Norbert Mayrock Art Collection from Ancient Peru" (2000: 320).
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height 2 1/2"
Price Upon Request
94016

12 / 13

Peru, Wari Carved Wood Konopa in the form of an alpaca

Konopas were sacred offering containers carved in the shapes of llamas and alpacas. This example is carved from balsa wood in the unmistakable form of an alpaca, distinguished by its long hair, especially flopping over the eyes. A round cavity was carved into the animal's back for the purpose of holding an offering. Once filled, probably with a mixture of llama or alpaca fat and blood, the carving was subsequently placed in pastures to secure the fertility of herds and the land, both so essential to the ancient Peruvians. Most known extant konopas are from the later Inca period and were generally carved from stone. A wide variety of Inca stone examples are illustrated in "Gold of the Andes: The Llamas, Alpacas, Vicunas and Guanacos of South America," 2 vols. (Barcelona, 1994, Vol. I: 20 and 21). The stone Inca examples of alpaca konopas are from Helmut Schindler "The Norbert Mayrock Art Collection from Ancient Peru" (2000: 320).

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Height 2 1/2"

Price Upon Request

94016

Peru, Wari Long Handle Wood Mirror Back with two deer carved on top
Elegantly carved wood handled mirror decorated with two felines perched on top facing outward. The mirror frame is carved with a mace-like knobs to give an overall impression of a scepter. The verso side is plain.
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length 14 1/4"
Price Upon Request
94189

13 / 13

Peru, Wari Long Handle Wood Mirror Back with two deer carved on top

Elegantly carved wood handled mirror decorated with two felines perched on top facing outward. The mirror frame is carved with a mace-like knobs to give an overall impression of a scepter. The verso side is plain.

Media: Wood

Dimensions: Length 14 1/4"

Price Upon Request

94189