Moche Gilded Copper Alloy Disc Ornament

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

A remarkable and exquisitely crafted gilded copper disc applique, likely symbolizing the Sun, a revered celestial force in Moche religious beliefs. The disc features a small suspension hole, indicating it was originally affixed to a ceremonial object, textile, or weapon.

The exact function of such ornaments remains uncertain, though scholars suggest they may have been used as ritual adornments for ceremonial standards, elite garments, or symbolic weaponry. The gilding technique, achieved by applying a thin layer of gold over copper, allowed artisans to create luxurious-looking objects that emulated the gold treasures reserved for Moche nobility.

In Moche society, copper ornaments denoted status and wealth, while gold and silver were the exclusive privilege of royalty and the highest elite. The Moche civilization (c. 200–700 AD) flourished along Peru’s northern coast, long before the rise of the Inca Empire. They are particularly renowned for their extraordinary ceramics, advanced metallurgy, monumental temple structures (huacas), and sophisticated irrigation systems.

This superb artifact reflects the artistic ingenuity and ritualistic traditions of the Moche, offering a tangible connection to one of South America’s most advanced pre-Columbian cultures.

Good condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Reddish green surface patina and encrusted mineral deposits, with small areas of remaining gilding. Size approx. 6,7cm x 6,7cm 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.