Knife Item Number: Sf546 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
The crescent blade is attached to a cylindrical shaft with a handle that has two double-headed zoomorphic creatures in mirror image. The zoomorphics have an ear, a head crest rendered as a serpent and a large rounded claw on the foreleg. The interior detailing of claws and face appear on one side only.
History Of Use
Cast copper knives are numerous in earlier Moche and Vicus Styles (Jones). However, the half moon blade and long handle appear to be later traits, possibly Early Chimu. The crested animal is most closely associated with the highland Recuay Style but relationships to north coast styles have been noted by many authors (Lumbreras). This may be a ceremonial blade as such knives often appear in ceramic scenes of human sacrifice.
Narrative
Early Chimu ?, Middle Horizon, 700-1100 C.E.
Iconographic Meaning
The zoomorphic figure on the handle has several characteristics of the moon animal, including the crest and rounded claw. The moon animal has feline/canine characteristics. It occurs in Moche, Recuay and Vicus art. The associations of this creature are lunar or astral.
Item History
What
- Name
- Knife
- Identification Number
- Sf546
- Type of Item
- knife
- Material
- copper metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast and hammered
- Overall
- height 1.1 cm, width 17.4 cm, depth 10.1 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- between 700 and 1100
- 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
- 0711/0049