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THBSinu Tumbaga Pendant & 11 Zoomorphic Pottery Whistles
Lot 88a
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$4,000 - $6,000
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| $20,000 | $2,500 |
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Sinu culture, ca. 500 to 900 CE. A captivating display centered on a Sinu tumbaga (gold-copper alloy) figural pendant of highly stylized form, surrounded by eleven miniature zoomorphic pottery whistles or ocarinas. The central pendant, wrought in fine repousse and filigree techniques, depicts a figure with a domed headdress adorned with circular perforations, coiled circular eyes and chest, flaring wing-like ear ornaments, and long rectangular legs decorated with spiral motifs. The surrounding ceramic instruments, each pierced for suspension, take the form of charming abstract animals, likely frogs, birds, and other fauna, recalling the Sinu people's close relationship with riverine and tropical environments. Size of largest (tumbaga pendant): 2.5" W x 3.5" H (6.4 cm x 8.9 cm); of display case: 2.4" L x 17" W x 17" H (6.1 cm x 43.2 cm x 43.2 cm)
Such ensembles evoke the prestige regalia of Sinu elites, where tumbaga ornaments served as both adornment and social currency, while whistles were used in ceremony, music, and ritual signaling. The frame presentation emphasizes their aesthetic unity and cultural resonance, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry and symbolism of pre-Hispanic Colombia.
Please note that these pieces have not been removed from the frame for examination, and the tumbaga has not undergone XRF testing.
Provenance: private Burbank, Illinois, USA collection via inheritance 2024, acquired between 1970s to 2000s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#196596Mounted behind glass in custom display case; has not been examined outside of case. Some small tears and areas of loss to tumbaga figure. Adhesive to some ocarinas. Age-commensurate surface wear throughout. All have nice remaining detail with some scattered earthen deposits. Suspension wire on verso of case for display.Condition
- Shipping Info
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All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Fine Arts will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please ask before bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
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