Pin Item Number: Sf525 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A conical metal shaft with a bulbous feline head. The head has rounded ears, incised circular eyes and a grimacing mouth with teeth and triangular fangs. There is a hole through the shaft 1 cm from the head. The gilded layer is particularly thick and distinct from the brown metal base.
History Of Use
In Pre-Columbian Peru pins were most frequently used as closures on women's mantas. The shaft on this pin is somewhat thicker than the shafts on Inca Period tupus or pins (Bingham).
Iconographic Meaning
The crossed fangs are interpreted as a feline attribute in Peruvian art.
Narrative
The thickness of the gild surface suggests a layer of gold leaf was applied, a technique not used in pre-Conquest Peru; therefore it's probably Colonial, after 1532.
Item History
What
- Name
- Pin
- Identification Number
- Sf525
- Type of Item
- pin
- Material
- gold metal and copper metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast
- Overall
- height 2.0 cm, width 2.1 cm, depth 20.5 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- between 1532 and 1700
- 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
- 0711/0028