Knife Item Number: Sf544 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A finely worked, crescent-shaped blade with perpendicular handle which is square in cross-section and terminates in an animal head. The head has ears, whiskers and a snub muzzle with prominent fangs.
History Of Use
The shallow, crescent-shaped blade with central handle is typical of Inca tumi knives (Bingham). This is probably a ceremonial knife, not a weapon.
Narrative
Inca culture, Late Horizon; 1476-1532 C.E.
Iconographic Meaning
The handle is surmounted by the head of a feline with crossed fangs.
Item History
What
- Name
- Knife
- Identification Number
- Sf544
- Type of Item
- knife
- Material
- gold metal and copper metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast, hammered, gilded and cut
- Overall
- height 9.1 cm, width 9.0 cm, depth 1.4 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
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0711/0047