Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 500 CE. A lovely and large facet from an earspool, made of shell and turquoise with the pieces arranged to create a lordly figure! A disc-shaped piece of shell creates the base for the motif to rest upon, and a ring of Spondylus and nacre (mother of pearl) shell encircles the exterior edge. Atop the disc is the arrangement of pieces, a nacre zigzag pattern on the outer edge surrounding an anthropomorphic man or deity figure replete with earspools, a tumi shaped headdress and tumi implement across his body. In one hand is a nacre implement with turquoise inlaid into the surface. Earspools were commissioned by powerful lords and kings who wanted to display prestige and, what better way than to wear large earspools that depict a deity or lord that also wears earspools! The iridescent, colorful materials, especially Spondylus, had symbolic meaning for many Pre-Columbian cultures. These shells and stones were likely attached to a wooden disc or plug as a complete spool. Size: 1.8" Diameter (4.6 cm); 3.5" H (8.9 cm) on included custom stand. 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. #164514