ELABORATE OPENWORK ANCIENT SUN GOD COPPER BRONZE MACE OF THE PRE-COLUMBIAN VICUS MOCHE INDIANS *PC400

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A perfect marriage of effective weaponry with religious symbolism, this genuine, copper bronze openwork sun disk mace head is attributed to the Pre-Columbian Vicus culture of South America. The deification of the sun was adopted into many of the ancient metal handcrafts of the Vicus culture that is said to have been linked to the Moche Indians.  Unlike the Moche, the Vicus were famous for highly ornate metal objects of open work design, most notably honoring representations of the sun with elaborate sunburst motifs.  This was incorporated into some of their weapons with many of the most impressive objects being these disk mace heads.  These weapons utilized the design of sunbursts as toothed protrusions that would made for deadly embellishments.  The thinness of the disks was offset by larger than typical mace head sizes in order to keep the weight heavy enough to deal a fatal blow.  This thinness also served to penetrate any armor protection and inflict devastating wounds in battle.

This remarkable example is complete without any damage or bronze disease corrosion often seen in South America Pre-Columbian metal artifacts.  Elaborate incised designs cover both sides with intricate openwork throughout that is famous for this culture.  The proud ancient warrior who once carried this mace could have also suspended the mace head from a cord run through the pierced design, and wore the sun disk as a ritual object when not in combat.  Such a display could have been for intimidation, power and protection, honoring the sun god that was central to the life of most of the ancient indigenous people of the region and time.  This rare specimen has been professionally cleaned and conserved in our on-site museum lab, and is safe to handle, and even wear!