Inca (Inka) Silver Standing Votive Figure

 Inca empire (1438-1532 AD) 

A lovely flat back standing votive female with hands held to torso with striated cap-like coiffure, long hair at shoulders, fine facial features.  These figures were once dressed and served as offerings in important royal and religious and functions.

Size: 2-3/4 inches ( 7cm) Height 

The XRF elemental analysis shown in the image is highly consistent with pre-Columbian Inca metallurgy practices. The composition reveals several key characteristics typical of Andean metalworking:  The high concentrations of copper (43.27%) and silver (42.95%) align with traditional Andean metallurgical techniques. This type of Cu-Ag alloy was commonly used in pre-Columbian Peru, particularly during the Inca period.
The presence of trace elements like zinc (4.83%), nickel (8.34%), and iron (0.38%) is consistent with pre-Columbian smelting processes. These elements were often present in copper-based alloys produced in the Andean region.
The analysis suggests this object was likely produced using depletion silvering, a technique where the surface was enriched with precious metals - a method well-documented in pre-Columbian metalworking. The relatively high silver content indicates this was likely an intentionally created alloy rather than naturally occurring metal.
This composition matches archaeological evidence from various pre-Columbian sites, where copper-silver alloys were commonly used for both ceremonial and functional objects. The Inca empire (1438-1532 AD) particularly favored such alloys for manufacturing ornaments and ceremonial items.
The figurine's composition and manufacturing technique demonstrate sophisticated metallurgical knowledge that was characteristic of pre-Columbian Andean civilizations, particularly in their ability to create complex metal alloys and surface treatments.

Provenance: From the estate of Christian Illies (1947-2014), Opelika, Alabama who inherited the collection from his grandfather, Ferdinand Grebien (1877-1976).  Christian Illies’ grandfather, Ferdinand Grebien was born in Austria in 1887 and arrived in Panama in 1911 to work on the construction of the canal. In Colon he founded Grebien, Martinz, a major private construction firm, (with more than 1000 employees) that went on to
build many major institutions in Panama, including the Municipal Palace of the  District of Colon. Grebien was an avid lifelong collector of ancient Panamanian gold. We illustrate a black and white photo of Ferdinand Grebien displaying part of his gold collection at the 1964 World’s fair in NY.