PCX002 - EXCEPTIONAL LIFE-SIZE INTACT ANCIENT PRE-COLUMBIAN DEATH MASK OF HAMMERED TUMBAGA GOLD

Product Description

ITEM # 

PCX002

ID

Mask

FOUND

South America

AGE

100 A.D. - 1100 A.D.

SIZE

7" across x 4.15" high

CONDITION

NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION.
INTACT WITH HEAVY
MINERALIZED ENCRUSTATIONS
AND STUNNING, AGE PATINA.

NOTE

STUNNING EXAMPLE, NO DAMAGE.
A MAGNIFICENT AND EXTREMELY
RARE DEATH MASK MUCH RARER
THAN PRICE SUGGESTS.  

A MASK LIKE THIS WAS THE
PINNACLE OF WEALTH AND
STATUS.

INCLUDES DISPLAY BOX

Comes with a certificate of
authenticity / information sheet

This is an EXTREMELY RARE hammered sheet tumbaga (special alloy of gold and copper) mummy death mask from Pre-Columbian South America.  Objects like this represented the pinnacle of noble class wealth and status.  While many of these examples are badly damaged by the ravages of time and corrosion of the copper, this specimen is in stunning preservation and is complete and unusually well-preserved.  It was made by hammering the sheet from both sides to create a three-dimensional anatomy.  The patina shows the bi-metal alloy where both the copper and gold, can be seen in the colors.  On the surface is a beautiful heavy deposit of malachite minerals, testifying to the authenticity and age of this rare ancient treasure.

Any mask of this type is rare, especially in this condition, but the majority are made in copper only, not in gold or tumbaga as this one is.  The condition makes this a prize piece but the fact that tumbaga was used puts this in a higher category than ordinary copper examples.  This hammered gold and copper mask is in its original condition and has only been cleaned and treated in our lab, to stabilize and preserve the metal.  It is in RARE form, complete and with NO REPAIR OR RESTORATION OF ANY KIND.   It is 100% ORIGINAL.

Tumbaga is an alloy composed mostly of gold and copper.  It has a significantly lower melting point than gold or copper alone.  Tumbaga can be treated with a simple acid, like citric acid, to dissolve copper off the surface.  What remains is a shiny layer of nearly pure gold on top of a harder, more durable copper-gold alloy sheet.  This process is referred to as depletion gilding.  Tumbaga was widely used by the pre-Columbian cultures to make religious objects.  The proportion of gold to copper in artifacts varies widely; items have been found with as much as 97% gold while others instead contain 97% copper.

Metal crafts in precious metals such as tumbaga, gold and silver were THE most prized handcraft (along with jade work) objects of Pre-Columbian cultures.  A great talent and skill would have been needed to first hammer the silver into thin sheet and then utilize repoussé and chasing metal-smithing techniques to make the face and decorative designs throughout.  This involves hammering from the back side in reverse thinking.  Chasing involves hammering from the front side.  The combination of these two techniques were used to make this luxurious ancient object.

WARNING:  There is an ALARMING number of fake ancient bronze and iron artifacts on the market.  As fine quality intact, original specimens become more scarce and techniques have become more sophisticated to fake these artifacts.  We have personally handled numerous extremely well-done fakes with extremely convincing patinas.  The degree to which the fakers have been able to replicate patina to disguise their work requires an expert examination by highly experienced individuals.  Like all rare collectibles, fakes plague the market.  Deal only with sources that are extremely knowledgeable in forgeries or altered pieces and get a written guarantee of authenticity that has no conditions or expiration period.  Paleo Direct includes this guarantee in writing with every item we sell.  All purchases should include from the dealer a written guarantee of authenticity with unconditional and lifetime return policies regarding such guarantee.