2097

Silver-and-wood "vara" or Baston de Mando (Peruvian native governor's badge of office), 1700s, rare.

Currency:USD Category:Artifacts / Non-wreck Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:1,250.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Silver-and-wood  vara  or Baston de Mando (Peruvian native governor's badge of office), 1700s, rare.
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Silver-and-wood "vara" or Baston de Mando (Peruvian native governor's badge of office), 1700s, rare. 3 lb; 44" long; mostly 2" in diameter. Based in colonial times but still custom today, each Native American group in Peru had a ceremonial representative or governor in the national government known as a "Varayoc," and his badge of office was a large, embellished wooden staff like this one, originally intended to hammer or drill into the ground in front of his dwelling to show the natives to whom they should go for any civil matters. This specimen bears an iron auger at the bottom, 5 ornate (floral) silver straps at regular intervals, a moving silver swivel near top with heart and cross on chain, and a large silver cap at top surmounted by a small statuette of a native wearing a hat, the top piece somewhat loose but otherwise in excellent condition with beautiful dark wood and lightly toned silver.