Lot 246

Chimu High-Grade Silver Human Effigy Kero | 17.5"H

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Lot 246
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Chimu High-Grade Silver Human Effigy Kero | 17.5"H
Chimu High-Grade Silver Human Effigy Kero | 17.5"H
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Chimu High-Grade Silver Human Effigy Kero | 17.5"H

Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
June 11, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Pre-Columbian, North/Central Peru, Chimu., ca. 1100 - 1400 CE. A high-grade silver (95.3%) kero or drinking vessel comprised of silver sheet, hammer-molded to form a drinking cup depicting a stylized human head with bold repousse features defining the face and repeating raised dots throughout. The face presents with concentric ovoid eyes, a projecting aquiline nose, well-defined cheeks with a strong jaw line, and petite ears. Behind the head are repeating concentric circles, plausibly water, ripples or cosmological symbolism. Above this area a substantial neck is decorated with repeating circular dots possibly representing rain or fertility, terminating at a slightly flared rim. A magnificent effigy kero. Silver Quality (95.3%); Size: 4.25" W x 17.625" H (10.8 cm x 44.8 cm)

The kero form was also created by Chimu as well as Huari, Inca and other peoples of the ancient Americas. However, the indigenous of Peru created these for more than domestic purposes. Rather, they were used during life and after life at funerary ceremonies that incorporated intricate religious libations and imbibing rites. To create this piece, the ancient metalsmith hammered a piece of silver into a very thin sheet, approximately the size of the finished work. Then, the artisan used fine-grained stone anvils and hammer stones made of hematite or green porphyry, sometimes with animal hide attached, using a wooden template to create the form and its repousse ornamentation, as the metalsmith hammered the silver sheet upon the wooden template.

Provenance: Ex-private collection of Samuel Saunders, Nogales, AZ, partner of Holler & Saunders, Ltd., founded in 1979 and widely regarded as one of the preeminent authorities in Spanish Colonial and Mexican folk art, acquired before 1996 from HD-Enterprise, Hank Johnson, Denver, Colorado.

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Item # 201734

  • Condition: Small tears at top, creases throughout as shown. Accumulation of natural black patina.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000