Inca Civilization

The Inca civilization was the largest Pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas and Cusco was its capital. The best kept example of its architecture is Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

The Sacred City is one of the most significant archeological sites left by the Incas

Culture

Fascinating culture and Inca heritage of this beautiful country

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It occupies an important place in Inca mythology.

Animals of Peru

Animals in Peru have specialized and adapted to the conditions of its geography. At higher altitude levels, few animals and plants can survive because of the lack of oxygen.

Home » Inca Civilization

Inca Jewelry

Submitted by |
Inca gold mask. Museo de Oro de Peru.

Most of the Inca gold jewelry and artifacts was looted by the Spanish conquerors, melted and taken away to Spain. The largest part of the pieces shown in museums have been found by archaeologist in burial grounds. They show us to a great extent the meaning and use of jewelry in the Inca civilization.

Inca ornate gold nose ring. Museo Oro del Peru.

Metalwork was a skill inherited from pre-Inca civilizations, the Incas were not experts in metalwork but many conquered territories had skilled goldsmiths who were transferred to Cusco and to other important cities in the empire. For instance Ichmas and Chimus produced earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, ritual Tumis and ceremonial artifacts. There were highly specialized goldsmiths working for the elite, according to cronist Cieza de Leon, most of them were brought from Lambayeque in the coast to work in the capital, Cusco. During the Inca Empire gold was an abundant metal used to make artifacts and jewelry. The Incas believed that the gold shone like the sun and so to honor their main god, the Inti, they wore it and decorated their temples with it.

 

Gold jewelry was a measure of social status and to the proximity to god. The Sapa Inca, members of the royal family, priests and government authorities would wear jewelry on a daily basis. Commoners would wear it only in special occasions such as in religious ceremonies and special celebrations.

There were specialized Inca jewelry artists who used different types of material to create special pieces of jewelry. Among the most used materials are gold, silver, copper, wood, seeds, feathers, seashells, gemstones, fine textile and other material suitable for making jewelry.

Inca gold necklace. Museo Oro del Peru.

The Sapa Inca and the nobility decorated their everyday dresses and sandals with gemstones and gold pieces. They wore gold earrings and the heavier the better, as their elongated the earlobes signified high status or nobility in society. Necklaces were popular among men and women alike, some of these pieces were very heavy as they contained a lot of gold. Bangles and bracelets were popular among women who decorated them with seeds, alpaca fibers, shells or gemstones.
The Nose ring made of Inca gold was an important piece of jewelry for the Sapa Inca who wore it during religious ceremonies and special celebrations. The ring was attached to the nose by pressure, there was no piercing. Another impressive piece of jewelry was the Sapa Inca gold crown known as the Mascipacha.

Shin and chest protectors were used by warriors as part of their armor. The use of copper or gold would identify the status of the warrior.

 

 

Next – Inca pottery >>

<< Back – Inca Civilization category 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,