Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian: Metalwork (13)

Inca 5 1/4" Copper Condor Effigy Knife of a mother feeding her chick was found in Peru. Patinated Copper. The blade is still sharp and in excellent condition. What a find! The Andean condor is an impressive animal being the largest flying bird in the world with wing span of up to 10 feet. Even with its enormous size, this incredible bird can fly and soar at heights of over 15,000 feet...

Two rare pre-Columbian masks in excellent condition with beautiful patina. The largest is 2 1/2" X 1 1/2". From the peninsula of Santa Elena, Ecuador. They date to 300-500AD. From the collection of Michael Robbins, purchased in 1989.

This stunning pure gold necklace is from the El Bolo treasure, 200BC-200AD. It was found by treasure hunters who struck a deal with the Colombian government, the Bank of Colombia and the local peasants whereby the treasure was divided up. The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia purchased many of the pieces including full body suits. Artifacts from this treasure can be readily identified by the extreme purity of the gold which is 23K-24K. The Bank of Colombia among other items had 8 gold necklaces...

This is a beautiful Incan 18K hollow gold female idol. It is 1 1/2" tall and weighs 2 grams. Stands alone. This sale is for this figure only. The other items in the last picture are for size reference only.

This is an extremely rare pure gold 23K gold cup from Colombia. It is 3 1/2" tall. It has been hammered paper thin and has some crinkling. I purchased it in 1986 from dealer Royce Hubert.

This stunning pure gold and quartz necklace is from the El Bolo treasure. It was found by treasure hunters who struck a deal with the Colombian government, the Bank of Colombia and the local peasants whereby the treasure was divided up by some formula. The Royal Family of Saudi Arabia purchased many of the best pieces including full body suits. Artifacts from this treasure can be readily identified by the extreme purity of the gold which is 23K...

This is perhaps the finest pre-Columbian gold collection ever assembled in private hands. These are all incredible masterpieces. Each one is high grade near pure gold. None are tumbaga. All have been authenticated by a forensic laboratory that specializes in pre-Columbian gold. This assemblage has taken me 40 years to acquire. Nothing was imported. All have been purchased from Sotheby's or high-end private collections. Everything is legal to own and sell...

These are five extremely rare copper skull bells/pendants that were found in an elite tomb at Monte Alban, Oaxaca in 1936. Each bell in about 1/2". They date to 1000-1500AD. Copper was mined largely from Guerrero. No cleaning or restoration, exactly as found. A must have for any pre-Columbian metallurgy collection.

This is a hammered sheet silver breastplate with the neatest iconography that I have seen. This piece screams pre-Columbian. It depicts a fanged anthropomorphic transformational diety war god figure in full regalia holding 3 double-headed snakes/serpents wearing an elaborate feline/monster headdress showing fierce demon facial features. It shows many levels of patination. It is 7.2" X 5.7". It is attributed to the Chavin culture...

This is a very unusual artifact. It is bone that has been covered with 22K hammered gold. It is 8" long. It is either a pectoral or perhaps a nose ornament. The bone is broken near the center, but is completely covered by the gold. It is from La Tolita, Ecuador C500BC-500AD. This piece was found with a gold death mask in a tomb. It was found lying next to the mask and was part of the mask. The two were separated. The mask sold for $75,000. It is from the Ken Klassen collection, Bogota.

This copper awl with antler handle and perforated for suspension was found by Dr. Allen Heflin in Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan in 1947. It is 8 1/2 long. Please view my youtube video of this item at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C30caNNItA.

This 18K gold bell is a real beauty with original clapper intact which gives an extremely pleasing tinkle. It is 7/8". This is especially beautiful gold. It weighs 13.4 grams. The sound of bells were used by shamans in their magical rituals to open portals or manifest will. It has a large decorated loop on top allowing it to be worn with a large chain. An outstanding piece of pre-Columbian jewelry.

This matching pair of Nayarit gold and silver spiral pendants were found together. The gold is 22K and hand cut, an amazing feat for today's jeweler and an unknown process with ancient tools. They are paper thin and spring-like, although lay flat. They are wearable. This is very desirable universal iconography. Purchased from the famous Lynn Langdon collection.