Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 400 to 700 CE. A beautiful mold-formed pottery vessel with fine burnishing marks across the exterior. The vessel is defined by a planar base, a bulbous body, a stirrup-shaped handle, and a cylindrical spout with a lightly-flared rim. The body emulates the form of a fierce jaguar with a powerful body and extended forepaws, retracted back legs, and tail curled into a tight spiral. Enormous ovoid eyes beneath heavy lids, an upturned nose with delineated nostrils, puffy jowls with bared fangs, and perky ears define the feline visage, and the vessel is enveloped in a chocolate-brown slip. Size: 4.375" W x 7.3" H (11.1 cm x 18.5 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 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.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Paul Frank collection, acquired by descent from John Green; acquired and published: Sotheby's, Parke-Bernet (April 11, 1970, lot 77)
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#144385
Condition
Restoration to one ear and part of spout rim, with light resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Minor abrasions to base, body, and handle, with light encrustations within some recessed areas, and fading to original pigmentation. Light earthen deposits and nice craquelure to slip pigment throughout.