Circular Tweezers c. 1000 - 1400

This striking pair of tweezers was made by the Chimú people in ancient Peru, likely from hammered gold. The Chimú were skilled metalworkers, and gold was a particularly valuable material because it could be worked in a relatively pure form. To make these tweezers, the metal would have been repeatedly heated and hammered, annealing and shaping it. Look closely, and you’ll see the traces of these processes. The flat disc at the base would have been carefully formed, as would the springing arms that provide the tool’s function. Consider the labor involved in locating and extracting gold. Imagine the meticulous skill required to transform raw material into a functional object, not to mention the social context in which the tweezers would have been used. This object is a reminder that all artifacts, even the smallest, are born of human ingenuity and effort. By understanding how things are made, we gain a deeper appreciation for their meaning and value.