Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chavin-Cubisnique, ca. 1200 BCE. An impressive blackware bottle with a pair of fish modeled upon the shoulder of the vessel body, surrounding the tubular spout that gently tapers as it rises and then flares slightly at the rim. The details of the fish are carefully rendered; note the incised gills, the scales embellishing the lengths of their bodies, and the tail fins as well as the bulging eyes gazing out from their visages. A wonderful vessel with two skillfully delineated sea creatures. Size: 4.93" W x 8" H (12.5 cm x 20.3 cm)
The Chavin civilization is generally regarded as the Andean mother civilization - oftentimes compared to the Olmec of Mexico. Both the Chavin and the Olmec cultures created the earliest Pre-Columbian visual culture that continued to flourish until European contact in the 16th century. Using molds and modeling the forms by hand, the Chavin made numerous vessel forms. Scholars have suggested that the indigenous used them to store fermented corn beer or "chicha". The art associated with the Chavín cult spread to the coast of Peru and as far south as the Paracas Peninsula.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s
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#161602
Condition
Age commensurate abrasions and nicks to high pointed areas. Otherwise intact with nice burnishing marks and traces of pink pigments.