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THBMoche Bichrome Portrait Vessel w/ Jaguar Headdress
Lot 186
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,400 - $3,600
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 31, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-10-31 10:00:00
2019-10-31 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-4581
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (467)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Moche IV to V, ca. 600 to 800 CE. A mold-made bichrome terracotta portrait stirrup vessel representing a jaguar-headdressed lord or warrior who presents a noble visage with realistic features including almond-shaped eyes, a naturalistic nose, and labial folds. Clearly depicting a person of import, this individual is highly decorated. Atop his head is a jaguar headdress with the wild feline's visage at the center, paws to either side, a spotted jaguar coated chin strap and body wrapped all the way around and down the back, perhaps to represent a tail. In addition, the figure wears enormous earspools - also presenting a dotted jaguar pelt pattern - and an enormous lunate/tumi-shaped nose ring. The stirrup handle projects from the back of the figure and the tall, cylindrical spout rises high above his head. The base is nicely decorated with a stylized meander motif. Size: 4.25" in diameter at the base x 8.75" H (10.8 cm x 22.2 cm)
The jaguar symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. The principal Moche god Ai apaec wears a headdress adorned with a jaguar head and paws and important mortals donned similar headdresses. A nocturnal animal, the jaguar sleeps in caves and dark places and creeps quietly in the forest, evoking great mystery. Oddly enough, few Moche artists would have actually scene jaguars as they are not indigenous to the coast. Jaguars prefer moist forest conditions. However, scholars believe that some cubs were transported over the mountains for Moche rituals, and it is also possible that some jaguars wandered down the coast.
The Moche were among the only ancient cultures in the Americas to produce such portrait vessels. The sculptor's intent was to present a very realistic depiction, and interestingly, scholars have been able to follow the progression of age and rank of several of individuals portrayed in pottery. One particular face, easily identified because of his cut lip, appears in more than forty Moche pottery vessels. In their own way, these people were like rock stars of the day, portrayed by their own paparazzi. A wonderful example, remarkably lifelike with naturalistic features and a steadfast gaze.
Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#144741Chips/nicks to base, peripheries of earspools, jaguar's chin, chin strap, and other high pointed areas. Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Manganese deposits in areas.Condition
- Shipping Info
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