Tweezers Item Number: Sf553 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Tweezers in the shape of two birds, both slightly convex, hinged at the tail. Both sides are exactly congruent and the edges fit together precisely. The head of each has an embossed eye and mouth. There is a hole in the middle of the folded tail section.
History Of Use
Tweezers were used for removing sparse facial hair. Sculptures of seated figures using mirrors and tweezers affirm this. They were used for at least 1500 years, as examples from the moche/Vicus Style through to the Inca style have been found (0-1532 C.E.). Two bird-shaped tweezers have been reported from the south coast. One of these comes from a controlled excavation.
Narrative
Ica or Ina-Inca Style ? Late Intermediate Period or Late Horizon 1200-1532 C.E.
Item History
What
- Name
- Tweezers
- Identification Number
- Sf553
- Type of Item
- tweezer
- Material
- copper metal ? and silver metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- depletion silvered ?, embossed, cut, hammered and punched
- Overall
- height 2.1 cm, width 3.9 cm, depth 3.7 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- between 1200 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
- 0711/0055