Chimú Ceremonial Copper Tumi with Warrior Figure Finial

Pre-Columbian Era, Chimú Culture, c. 800-1470 AD, Moche Valley, Trujillo, Peru

This magnificent Chimú sacrificial tumi, cast from thick copper, is a striking testament to the ceremonial and artistic traditions of pre-Columbian Peru. Featuring a heavy crescent-shaped blade, this exceptional piece is attached to a cylindrical handle adorned with an abstract avian motif—a design commonly seen in Chimú textiles. The finial, a seated warrior or deity figure, elevates the knife’s status as both a functional ritual object and a sacred emblem of power.

Bird imagery was deeply significant in Chimú religion, with seabirds like pelicans symbolizing both fertility and the afterlife. The tumi itself was a revered tool, widely used by several coastal civilizations—including the Moche, Sicán, Chimú, and Inca—for blood sacrifice, ritual ceremonies, and even surgical procedures. In Moche iconography, the tumi is frequently depicted in sacrificial rites, where it was used to slit the throats of offerings. Among the Inca, these knives played a vital role in Inti Raymi’rata, a sacred harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God. During this elaborate ritual, a High Priest would sacrifice a pure white or black llama, interpreting its entrails to divine future harvests, after which the remains were ceremonially incinerated.

Beyond its ritualistic importance, the tumi was also an instrument of advanced Andean medicine. In the practice of cranial trephination, it was used to drill or scrape holes into the skull—an early surgical technique employed to treat head injuries, fractures, or psychological ailments. While ceremonial tumis were crafted in larger, more elaborate designs, medical variations were smaller and designed for precision.

This extraordinary tumi, with its symbolic warrior finial and intricate iconography, embodies the profound spiritual and technological achievements of the Chimú civilization. A rare and museum-worthy artifact, it stands as a compelling relic of ancient Peruvian ritual, medicine, and artistry—an unparalleled addition to any collection of pre-Columbian artifacts.

Excellent condition. Both blade and handle are covered in layers of green and russet patina. Age-related wear and abrasion. Size approx. 13,8cm x 1,8cm (blade 13,8cm) x 0,3cm.

Provenance: Swedish private collection. 

For a similar example see:

Copper Tumi with Figure, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Accession Number: 1987.394.607 (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/315655)