An Inca Star Mace Head, Incan Empire, ca. 14th - 16th century CE

Star-shaped mace heads were a common form for clubs and weapons from at least the Early Intermediate Period (200 BCE-600 CE). The first examples appear in stone, associated with Chavín and Salinar cultures. The succeeding Moche and Nasca developed copper mace heads, which they depict in painted scenes of hand-to-hand combat on ceramic vessels.  This stone mace head features a centrally drilled socket and six blunt end points.

cf: Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Inca: Conquests of the Andes / Los Incas y las conquistas de los Andes, 2015.

Dimensions: Height: 2 3/4 inches (6.9 cm), Width: 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm)

Condition: Mineral accretion throughout, but intact and in excellent condition overall. Custom mounted.

Provenance: Private upstate New York collection.