Figure of a Feline, Possibly a Finial for a Pin Possibly 1100 - 1470

This miniature bronze feline was crafted by an artist from the Chimú culture, which flourished in ancient Peru. The feline was an important symbol in Andean cultures, representing power, agility, and the supernatural. This piece, possibly a finial for a pin, was likely used as an adornment for the elites of the Chimú society, connecting the wearer to these feline attributes. The Chimú civilization was highly stratified, and sumptuary laws dictated who could wear certain precious metals and symbols. By wearing this feline, a member of the Chimú elite was communicating their status. Note the curled tail, which gives the figure an almost playful, animated quality. As you reflect on this figure, consider the complex layering of cultural beliefs and social hierarchies that shaped its creation and how objects can embody stories of power, identity, and belief.