Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche Culture, ca. 100 BCE to 100 CE. An impressive Moche tumi, a ceremonial knife formed from high-quality copper - 99% - with a lord king warrior finial holding a mace in one hand, with an atlatl or spear thrower and shield in the other. Dressed like a lord king, he wears an elaborate sun disk headdress with a mushroom finial in the front, an owl head necklace, and a belt presumably of trophy heads around his hips. A petite bird additionally accompanies this lord king with its head peeking out from his proper right side and its legs and wings displayed behind him. The verso of the figure is additionally adorned with a pair of vertical loops on his feet and headdress. A very special example, replete with impressive artistry and historical value, all enveloped in a gorgeous, seafoam green patina. Size: 1" W x 6.625" H (2.5 cm x 16.8 cm); 7.5" H (19 cm) on included custom stand.Warfare and warriors are recurrent themes in Moche art, a strong testimony to the violence of Moche society which was riven by intense rivalry and competition. After battles, triumphant warriors ceremonially severed the heads of their opponents, hence trophy head motifs often appear in Moche visual culture. Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #165675