Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chavin, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. An adorable mold-made pottery stirrup vessel of a fish of ovoid form with a rounded yet stable base, a full body, and a stirrup spout with a lipped rim emerging above. Enveloped in a warm shade of light brown, the charming sea creature presents with a pointed face, prominent nasal ridge, round black eyes placed in recessed circles, a tiny raised nose with clearly delineated nostrils, a singular incised striation representing his frowning mouth, and a petite pinched tail. Two curved lines flank the aquatic animal's face, forming gills, while two fins adorn each side and his back, and horizontal striations, intended as scales, decorate his body. A wonderful example from Chavin culture! Size: 7.625" L x 4.375" W x 6.875" H (19.4 cm x 11.1 cm x 17.5 cm)
The stirrup vessel form is named for the stirrup for horseback riding. In addition to being iconographically rich, these vessels were also practical. Their narrow openings prevented rapid evaporation of the precious liquid within - a great advantage given the extremely dry deserts of Peru. Note also that the shape of the neck made it easy to carry. Two stirrup vessels could be tied to the ends of a cord and suspended over a llama's back or a person's shoulder.
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 stirrup-spout vessels like this example. Scholars have suggested that the indigenous used them to store fermented corn beer or "chicha".
Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s
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#145501
Condition
Repair to right proper eye. Expected surface wear with chips to rim and base and light pitting throughout. Otherwise, intact and very nice.