Nariño (Capulí) Gold Nose Ornament

Culture: Nariño / Capulí Region: Southwestern Ecuador Date/Origin: Circa AD 700–1500 Type: Nose Ornament Material: Gold Dimensions: Description: Hammered and annealed gold nose ornament composed of a horizontal band with geometric cut-out elements and a central crescent form with downward-pointing triangular pendants. The abstract design reflects the distinctive geometric aesthetic associated with Capulí metalwork of the Nariño cultural region along the Ecuador–Colombia border. Such ornaments were worn suspended from the nasal septum and formed part of elite ceremonial regalia. Their broad lateral form and dangling elements created movement and visual emphasis during ritual display. Weight: 14.5 grams. Provenance: A large cache of similar nose ornaments was discovered in Ecuador in the 1950s; examples vary in individual design.