Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, ca. 100 to 300 CE. A dazzling pair of golden tupus - ancient Andean versions of brooches or shawl pins - of minimalistic forms. Both stunning implements boast lengthy, slender pins that taper to a sharp point at one end and are topped by double-orbed finials at the other. The larger pin is comprised of 48% gold (equivalent to greater than 11 karats), while the smaller is 55% gold (equivalent to greater than 13 karats). Quality of gold: 48% (11K+) & 55% (13K+); Size of largest: 0.375" W x 6.375" H (1 cm x 16.2 cm); 8.5" H (21.6 cm) on included custom stand; Weight: larger tupu: 4.9 grams, smaller tupu: 2.7 gramsAccording to Bryan Cockrell, Curatorial Fellow, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, 2017 of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, "While the production of tupus has existed over two millennia in the Andes, it is important to recognize the ways in which their use extends beyond 'pins,' and the ways in which scholars have interpreted the uses of these objects. 'Tupu' (also spelled 'topu' or 'topo') could refer to a pin, but also to a measurement. In the ayllu, or local community, of Qaqachaka in Bolivia, tupus are currently used to make agricultural measurements, level out earth, build irrigation canals, and mark the boundaries of territories (Fernandez 2015, 11). Alternatively, Rinque (2012, 13) ascribes the meaning of tupu as measurement 'to the standard used in exchanging the valuable dyes people used for wool' ('al patron utilizado para el intercambio de las valiosas tinturas para el tenido de la lana'). It is interesting to recognize this last meaning of 'tupu' considering that many tupus appear to have been prepared from stock metal. Furthermore, this raises the question of how the metal used to make them was part of a wider network of exchange. Rinque (2012, 13) notes that Aymara and Mapuche peoples have historically traded dyes for other materials, including minerals." Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Gary Drimmer collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired from 1950 to 1960 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. #161534