Round Plaque

Art Historical Context

This exquisite Round Plaque, crafted by an unknown Vicús artist between the 3rd century and 2nd century, hails from the ancient Vicús culture of Peru's north coast. Flourishing in the Piura region during's Early Intermediate Period, the Vicús people were renowned for their sophisticated metallurgy, blending functionality with spiritual symbolism in everyday and ritual objects. At just 2-3/8 inches (6.1 cm) in diameter, this small copper ornament likely adorned jewelry, clothing, or ceremonial items, reflecting the culture's mastery of portable, precious artifacts. Hammered from thin copper sheets and enhanced with gilding—a technique involving the application of gold leaf or mercury-gold amalgam—the plaque showcases Vicús innovation in metalworking. This labor-intensive process created a luminous, jewel-like surface that mimicked solid gold, making luxury accessible to elites. Such gilt copper pieces highlight the Vicús' technical prowess, predating Inca metal traditions and influencing later Andean artistry. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas department (Bequest of Jane Costello Goldberg, 1986), this plaque offers a window into Vicús cosmology, where gleaming metals symbolized solar deities and divine power. Though its exact design motifs remain unnoted, it embodies the era's blend of artistry and reverence for the cosmos.