Moche Gold Tree Snail Pendant

A Pre-Columbian Moche gold pendant in the form of a tree snail, made in two parts with the bottom expertly soldered to the spiral cone-shaped shell with suspension holes. The bottom is decorated with the snail’s foot exposed inside the shell. There are copper beads inside the shell that make a sound when worn.

Peru, North Coast.
Ca. 100 - 400 AD.
Height: 2 in. (5 cm).

Moche civilization was centered in northern Peru where it flourished from 100 to 800 AD. Moche society was agricultural, with a great deal of effort expended on impressive irrigation works and massive public architecture. The Moche are particularly noted for their achievements in art, especially their elaborately painted ceramics which depicted a wide variety of motifs and scenes from daily life with great skill.

Formerly in a South American private collection.
Inv#: 9296
Guaranteed Authentic

Price On Request

Related Items

Roman Lead Pair of Fighting Gladiators

$5,000

Greek Bronze Griffin

$8,500

Egyptian Bronze Bust of Isis

$5,000

Join our mailing list