Page 86 - 18 KARATI GOLD&FASHION 222

THE GOLDEN EMPIRES OF PERU
Peru has been built over the centuries. A gallery illuminated by radiant glows on a dark background introduces to the sumptuous exhibition of artefacts made of gold, silver, copper and gemstones, authentic expression of the divine nature attributed to the Andean emperors. The precious clothes and jewels they wore symbolised their power on this earth and the future world after death. Legitimated by the divine meaning of the symbols, they personified the forces that make life possible in a place of icy waters, rocky deserts, and pluvial tropical forests, and they were able to channel the power of the Sun, Moon and stars with gold and silver. The choice of precious metals did not come from the monetary value, but from what they represented for the entire community: gold was the sweat of the Sun and silver was the tears of the Moon. As radiant as celestial bodies, kings, queens and emperors gave life the possibility to prosper for the good of the entire community.
In alto: orecchino con motivo a mosaico raffigurante lucertole, in oro, conchiglie di strombo, turchese. Cultura Moche (100-800 d.C.). A fianco: corona in argento con figura d’antenato divinizzato affiancato da felini; anello da naso in argento; collana composta da 12 grani sferici in argento. Cultura Chimu, Età Imperiale (1300- 1532 d.C.). In basso: ornamenti d’argento. Signori Chimu, Galleria dell’oro. Cultura Chimu (1100-1470 d.C.).
Top: earring with mosaic motif depicting lizards, in gold, conch shells, turquoise. Moche Culture (100-800 AD). At the side: crown in silver with deified figure flanked by felines; nasal ring in silver; necklace composed of 12 spherical grains in silver. Chimu Culture, Imperial Age (1300-1532 AD). Bottom: silver ornaments. Chimu lords, Gold Gallery. Chimu Culture (1100-1470 AD).