Pre-Columbian, northern Peru, Moche culture, Phase III to IV, ca. 350 to 700 CE. An evocative, mold-made stirrup vessel in the form of the chief deity of the Moche, Ai Apec (also Ai Apaec), depicted with his traditional ocean waves and feline fangs, as a pair of serpents peek over his head, slithering down his back. The ancient god sits with legs drawn up and hands on knees as his sizeable head gazes forward, exhibiting a fierce visage of huge, almond-shaped eyes with elongated outer edges, a protruding, curved nose, and gritted teeth displaying the afore-mentioned, sharp fangs. Dotted earspools flank his head, while his black-painted body is adorned with broad arm cuffs and a pectoral that covers his shoulders. Beige-painted details additionally embellish the figure, all while a tubular stirrup spout rises from his back. Size: 6" W x 8.2" H (15.2 cm x 20.8 cm)
Ai Apaec is the primary Moche deity of creation, food, water, military victory and the most feared but respected of the wrathful gods- and sometimes referred to as the headsman or decapitator god! His iconography varies, but his ferocious nature was often depicted as a combination of human, aquatic, spider, and jaguar traits. Scholars posit that during human sacrifices, when prisoners were decapitated, their heads were presented as offerings to Ai Apaec.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Ron Messick collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-T. Misenhimer, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970 to 2008
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#172747
Condition
Repair and restoration to rim of spout, and possible areas of repainting. Light surface wear as shown with a few nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments. Collection label on base.