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Headdress Ornament

c. 300 BCE–200 CE
hammered and embossed gold-copper alloy
Overall: 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.)
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1938.432
Location: not on view
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Description

Gold ornaments have been discovered among the innermost wrappings of Paracas mummy-bundles, and were probably personal possessions of the deceased. The embossed image in the center of each ornament is a deity face, characterized by protruding eyes and a grinning, toothy mouth. Snakelike appendages emanate from the face. Figures embroidered on Paracas garments are frequently depicted with similarly shaped ornaments, either worn above the forehead or brandished in one hand.
Headdress Ornament

Headdress Ornament

c. 300 BCE–200 CE

Peru, South Coast, Paracas

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