Pre-Columbian Sinu Gold Nose Piece

This intriguing Sinu nose ornament is made from hammered sheet gold and is fascinating in its abstraction and modernist design. Designed to be worn around the septum, the piece mimics the appearance of whiskers when worn. Even though it is centuries old, a Pre-Columbian gold ornament such as this piece could rival any contemporary jewelry or sculptural design and is a rare and significant find.

The Pre-Columbian Sinu lived in the river valleys and along the Caribbean Coast of Colombia from around 200 to 1600 AD. They were most renowned for their elaborate irrigation and waterwork systems, their exquisite gold work, and the political significance of women in their social structure. 16th-century Spaniards came to the area lured by the magnificence of the Sinu's ceremonial burial gold. Much of this gold was cast using the lost wax method, but much like this extraordinary nose ornament, gold was also hammered into plates and reliefs with refined skill and artistry.

600-1250 AD

10 1/4" length