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.
Period: Peru, Chimu, North Coast, circa AD900-1350
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Height 11"
Price Upon Request
98270
Peru, Moche Cast Copper Gilt Handled Mirror Surrounded by Ten Pumas
Hand-held mirrors are rare from any Peruvian cultures, and those few that are known are carved from wood, except one other gilt copper one that is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Mirrors were important objects for high status individuals and symbolized the power of the sun. Both mirrors were found at the Loma Negra site of far North Peru, excavated in the 1960’s, and were made by the same workshop. The mirrors have different themes: the Met’s with birds, and this one with felines.
Both mirrors were constructed in the same manner - cast frames are mechanically attached to the handle with a separate sheet of copper backing to hold pyrite mirror fragments in place. The Met’s mirror has lost most of its original gilding. This mirror has more of the original gilt surface intact and has a reconstructed mirror of ancient pyrite, whereas the Met’s mirror was restored with wax and coated with silver foil. The felines surrounding the frame were individually modeled and cast as one with the frame, an extremely difficult technical accomplishment. Each puma has carved turquoise eyes. The few other known mirrors with handles which have been found were carved from wood. There are no other known mirrors with metal frames according to Dr. Christopher Donnan formerly at UCLA and the world expert on Moche Art.
To read an essay about this mirror, click here.
Period: Peru, Loma Negra, North Coast, c. AD 100 - P300
Media: Metal
Dimensions: Height: 9 1/4"(23.5cm) x Width: 5"(12.6cm)
Price Upon Request
n7005
Peru, Paracas Painted Mummy Mask with Reversible Mirror Image
This wonderful painted mask can be viewed in two directions and displays fantastic compositional and design craftsmanship. The eyes are shared by two attendant profile felines with heads turned outwards and undulating serpents emanating from each head. A horizontal serpent lies above the main head. The clever symmetrical design integrates a variety of smaller animals which when combined, also form the larger central feline. Similar masks with the attendant felines are illustrated in Painted Cloth Mummy Masks of Ica, Peru by Lawrence Dawson, figures 2 & 5. Another unique feature is the unusually well preserved blue gray pigment highlighting the nose and serpents of each attendant figure. Acquired by David Bernstein in 1992. In good condition, professionally mounted on a covered mat board.
Period: Peru, Paracas, Middle Period, South Coast, c. 700 - 300 BC
Period: Peru, Paracas, Middle Period, South Coast, c. 700 - 300 BC
Media: Textile
Dimensions: Height: 8 ¾†x Length: 8â€
$4,700
92111
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.
Period: Peru, Wari, Central Coast, circa AD650-1100
Media: Wood
Dimensions: Length 14 1/4"
Price Upon Request
94189
