Plaque Item Number: Sf579 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A roughly circular plaque with two rounded protuberances. The plaque has the appearance of a frontal view of a simplified animal head with ears at the top. Slightly convex with a gilded surface. There are four equally-spaced holes at the outer edge. There is a single v-shaped cut in the centre of the plaque, representing a mouth or a beak, which is flanked by two circular repousse eyes with indented centres. Slightly raised lines angle outward above the eyes.
History Of Use
The holes around the edge suggest this plaque was made for attaching to a backing, perhaps a cloth one.
Narrative
Pre-Inca, before 1476 C.E.
Iconographic Meaning
The v-shaped cut suggests a beak. Coupled with the brow-line, it appears to have the rudimentary modelling of owl features. The owl is frequently represented in north coast art, usually in a context that suggests he is a shaman.
Item History
What
- Name
- Plaque
- Identification Number
- Sf579
- Type of Item
- plaque
- Material
- copper metal, gold metal and silver metal ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- hammered, cut, depletion gilded and embossed
- Overall
- height 0.3 cm, width 8.1 cm, depth 7.2 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- before 1476
- 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
- 0711/0081