Ceremonial Knife (Tumi) or Pendant by Chimú

Ceremonial Knife (Tumi) or Pendant c. 1000 - 1470

bronze, inorganic-material, pen

round shape

3d sculpting

circular oval feature

weapon

3d printed part

rounded shape

plastic material rendering

bronze

curved arc

jewelry

3d shape

inorganic-material

latin-american

metallic object render

curved surface

pen

This Ceremonial Knife (Tumi) or Pendant, crafted by the Chimú culture, dates back to between 1000 and 1470. The Tumi, a distinctive symbol of the Chimú civilization, is a ceremonial knife with a characteristic crescent-shaped blade and a long handle. This particular piece, made of bronze, could have been used as a ritual tool or as a decorative pendant. It is a small but significant example of the artistry and symbolic importance of the Chimú culture, and is now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago.