American Museum of Natural History Research Library
author: American Museum of Natural History

Peru's Golden Treasures (Exhibition)
birth: 1977 October 5
death: 1987-01-01, 1978 January 1
Exhibition. Opened in October 5, 1977 and closed January 1, 1978. Located in Section 1A, Floor 1 in Gallery 77 at the American Museum of Natural History. "Peru's Golden Treasures" was an exhibition of pre-Columbian Peruvian goldwork.
Summary
"Peru's Golden Treasures" was an exhibition of pre-Columbian Peruvian goldwork. The 225 objects on display included masks, beakers, figurines, jewelry and adornments fashioned from the precious metal. The gold pieces spanned a period of nearly 2000 years and represented primarily the pre-Inca cultures of Vicus, Nazca, Moche and Chimu. All of the objects in the collection, assembled by Miguel Mujica Gallo, were from the Museo Oro del Peru in Lima. The exhibit also featured items from the Museum's own renowned South American collections, including ceramics, musical instruments and two examples of the rare and priceless Paracas embroidered textiles. According to Craig Morris, assistant curator for South American archeology at the Museum, the golden objects also had a religious and historical significance. They came to the Museum under the auspices of the government of Peru; the Museum in turn organized the exhibition's appearance elsewhere in the country. The exhibit was on view in Gallery 77 on the first floor of the American Museum of Natural History from October 5, 1977 through January 1, 1978.
Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: The Museo Oro del Peru; The Government of Peru; Craig Morris; AMNH Department of Anthropology (South American Archeology).