A head-shaped pearl-grelot, part of an ancient necklace for a dignitary, priest or ruler. According to Sergio Purini, human heads such as this one, worn as necklaces, seem to correspond to the first images of prisoners studied in Mochica ceramics, and destined to be scarified. It is possible that these heads, bead-globes worn as necklaces, represent decapitated heads, a form of sacrifice widespread among the Mochica, whose practice of human sacrifice has been attested since the excavations carried out at Sipan and the Huaca de La Luna at Moche. This small head from the Jean Roudillon collection can be compared to another head, also with a striated headdress, slightly larger (4.5 cm) but with shell and turquoise inlays in the eyes and mouth, in the Dora and Paul Janssen collection. Note that the head in the Jean Roudillon collection has its eyelashes and eyebrows well indicated with engravings that punctuate the entire eye contour. These heads, made of gold and other alloys such as silver or gilded copper, were first laminated, then worked in repoussé and soldered to join the two parts containing the bell's bell. Mochica, Early Intermediate 100 BC to 800 AD, Peru Gold-silver-copper alloy, traces of oxidation visible at the corners of the mouth, nose and orifices H. 3.3 cm For the bell head from the Jansen collection, see p. 253 in: Les Maîtres de L'Art précolombien La Collection Dora et Paul Janssen, Fonds Mercator 5 Continents Musée Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire, Brussels 2005. Provenance : - Jean Lions Collection, Saint Tropez - Collection Jean Roudillon (donated by the latter)