Knife Item Number: Sf534 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A narrow, curved blade with rounded ends that is attached to a solid cylindrical handle which ends in an animal head. The head has ears, ringed eyes and a long muzzle with mouth and nostrils.
History Of Use
The shallow, crescent-shaped blade with central handle is typical of Inca tumi knives (Bingham). It is probably a ceremonial knife rather than a weapon, as it appears in scenes of human sacrifice.
Narrative
Inca culture, Late Horizon; 1476-1532 C.E.
Iconographic Meaning
The handle is in the form of a llama head, a very frequent theme in Inca art.
Item History
What
- Name
- Knife
- Identification Number
- Sf534
- Type of Item
- knife
- Material
- bronze metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast, annealed and hammered
- Overall
- height 14.0 cm, width 11.3 cm, depth 2.9 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- between 1476 and 1532
- Collection Date
- between 1949 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before May 4, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on May 4, 1981
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0711/0037