Rattle Item Number: Sf635 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Thin sheet metal in the shape of a bivalve, hinged with a fold. Convex surfaces have many raised bumps. Small holes for suspension pass through both sides of the hinge.
History Of Use
The shell-shaped rattle is probably part of a collar-like neckpiece similar to ones found among the Loma Negra metalwork. These are made of rattles that have shapes of human and owl heads (p.c., Schaffer). It is possible that similar adornments continued to be made by the subsequent Lambayeque and Chimu cultures.
Narrative
Possibly Vicus; 0-200 C.E.
Iconographic Meaning
The rattles have the form of bivalve shells, possibly spondylus, as the raised bumps on the surface resemble the rough surface of this shell. Spondylus is found in Ecuadorian waters but was a valued trade item over many centuries.
Item History
What
- Name
- Rattle
- Identification Number
- Sf635
- Type of Item
- rattle
- Material
- gold metal ?, silver metal ? and copper metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- hammered, cut, plated ? and embossed
- Overall
- height 2.3 cm, width 5.1 cm, depth 4.5 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Peru
When
- Creation Date
- during 200
- Collection Date
- between 1949 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before May 4, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on May 4, 1981
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0711/0137