Pair of "tambas" ear ornaments representing on... Lot 114

Pair of "tambas" ear ornaments representing on a circular flat surface a cruciform motif decorated with feline heads in profile. This beautiful set is made with a mosaic of spondyl shells and various stones cut and inlaid on a llama bone base. These two ear ornaments are distinguished by the rarity of the material, as bone is perishable, and few examples have been found complete as is the case here. Llama bone, spondyle, stones of various colours, mother-of-pearl and llama hair cords. Huari, Peru D: 7 cm Provenance: Former Alvaro Guillot-Muñoz collection, 1935/1950 Bibliography: "Pre-Columbian Art of South America", Alan Lapiner, Abrams Publishing, New York, 1976, No. 593 of 4.7 cm for very similar ear ornaments from the Museum of Primitive Art in NY, inv. 68.67.