18 Karat Gold Diamond and Fancy Sapphire Earring

Each with a gold surface and red-brown cinnabar colouration; the spools are discoid with raised bands and a capped and pierced central cylindrical neck to the reverse; the discs present almost identical scenes of a standing warrior wearing a headdress and holding a club and shield; in the style of the Lambayeque Valley, circa 200-500 A.D. 173 grams total, 10.7 cm each



Formerly acquired before 1950. From the collection of Mr Razeto, acquired in the 1950s-1960s. Ex private American collection, circa 1960s. Acquired from Gloria Lisset Reyes Garcia, Florida, USA. From the private collection of Mr Michael J. Vaupel, Miami, USA.

The age of the Moche people has been lauded as the 'Master Craftsman Period' by archaeologists. Alongside other developments and innovations, the Moche excelled at metalwork, such as this pair of earrings, which may have been worn by high-status men or women. The pair would likely have been deposited as grave goods. The Moche culture existed between 200 and 850 AD, before the advent of the Inca. Although they never formed a single centralised political entity, they built thriving cultural regional centres stretching from the Nepeña River Valley in the south to the Piura River, close to the modern border with Ecuador, developing coastal regions into fertile farmlands and exploiting the maritime resources of the Pacific Ocean's Humboldt Current.

With D-section shank, ribbed shoulders, raised square bezel with legend 'N · Π / A'; accompanied by a museum-quality impression. 4.86 grams, 23.50 mm overall, 19.96 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T 1/2, USA 9 3/4, Europe 21.89, Japan 21)



From an old English collection, Bournemouth, UK. Ex Parthenon Gallery, London, UK, 2001. Property of a North London, UK, private collector.

The nimbate saint holding an open book in his left hand and his right hand raised in a blessing gesture; painted wooden board with metal riza, an old Russian export certificate taped at the back. 188 grams, 17.7 x 14.4 cm



Acquired from Derby Antiques Fair, 2003. Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.