Moche Gilded Copper Alloy Disc Ornament

Pre-Columbian Era, Moche Culture, Moche Phase II–IV, c. 200–600 AD, Northern Peru

An exceptional and rare gilded copper disc applique, possibly representing the Sun, a powerful symbol in Moche cosmology. The ornament features a small suspension hole, suggesting it was once attached to a ceremonial object or garment.

The precise function of such discs remains uncertain, but scholars speculate they may have served as ritual adornments for symbolic weapons, textile banners, or ceremonial hangings. The gilding technique—a fine layer of gold applied over copper—suggests an effort to mimic high-status gold ornaments, making it a striking yet more accessible alternative.

In Moche society, copper ornaments signified wealth and elevated status, though gold and silver were exclusively reserved for royalty and the nobility. The Moche civilization (c. 200–700 AD), also known as the Mochicas, thrived along the northern coast of Peru, preceding the Inca Empire. They are celebrated for their masterful ceramics, advanced metalwork, grand ceremonial pyramids (huacas), and sophisticated irrigation systems.

This stunning artifact stands as a testament to Moche craftsmanship and their rich ceremonial traditions, offering a glimpse into one of the most artistically advanced cultures of pre-Columbian South America.

Good condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Reddish green surface patina and encrusted mineral deposits, with small areas of remaining gilding. Size approx. 6,5cm x 6,5cm x 0,1cm.

Provenance: Former collection of the archaeologist Ferdinand Anton, Germany, combined between 1950 and 1965. Ferdinand Anton was born in 1929 in Munich, Germany. He made a living by writing richly illustrated books about the art objects and religious rituals of Pre-Columbian cultures: the Aztecs, the Maya, and Andean peoples of South America. He was an explorer who flew to South America and Mexico, and hiked to remote shrines where few Westerners had set foot. He wrote more than forty books.