Tumaco region, circa 300 B.C. – A.D. 800
Finely hammered to form a human face, a layer of platinum covering the interior, repoussé decorated in deep relief, the features stylised, with high cheek-bones and flattened upper lip, the narrow mouth slightly up-turned at the corners, with beak-like nose, the flared nostrils pierced for turquoise beads attached by thin wire, the bulbous elliptical eyes similarly pierced with a single turquoise bead remaining in one eye also attached by wire, with angular eyebrows, the narrow rounded forehead and curving chin showing traces of folds or “tucks” for increased curvature, the two small ears pierced six times for ornaments, a fluted earring remaining in the left ear, tiny perforations at the top of the ear and at the corners of the chin for attachment, 5½in. (14cm.) high, mounted
