Indiana University Indiana University IU

Culture Chimú
Title Tweezers
Date 1100–1300
Medium Silver, turquoise, coral, abalone shell, stone, and and fiber
Dimensions Object: 7 7/8 × 3 in. (20 × 7.6 cm)
Overall: 7 7/8 x 3 in. (20 x 7.6 cm)
Credit Line Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University
Accession Number 72.21.4

Share this artwork!

About this Work

Elite members of Chimú society used tweezers such as these to remove facial and body hair. Although tweezers fashioned from gold and brass are also known, silver was perhaps the most popular metal among the Chimú (as suggested by the number of silver objects that have been found). Imagery on each disk represents creatures from land, air, and water: a feline is between a fish below and a bird above. The fiber cord, to which are attached turquoise beads alternating with birds and a feline, is handspun cotton, suggesting that the assembly is original.


Provenance research is ongoing for this and many other items in the Eskenazi Museum of Art permanent collection. For more information about the provenance of this artwork, please contact the department curator with specific questions.

Viewing Information
This artwork is currently on view.

 

Request this Image
The Eskenazi Museum of Art provides images of its collection, free of charge, upon request. This artwork is under copyright protection. You can request the image and it will be emailed to you when the request is complete.

Cite this Page
"Tweezers | Collections Online." Collections Online. Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 2025. https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/collections-online/browse/object.php?number=72.21.4