Moche Polychrome Stirrup Vessel - Lords, Jaguars, Suns

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Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World

By Artemis Gallery

Jan 21, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-01-21 10:00:00 2021-01-21 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic From Around The World https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-from-around-the-world-6316
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Morro de Eten, Moche, ca. 500 CE. A very unusual stirrup vessel with two jaguars perched upon either side of the stirrup handle which is adorned by painted beans, with each legume delineated in its characteristic lunar shape, and spiral motifs perhaps to indicate the vines from which the beans have sprouted. Delineated in relief on the front and back faces of the vessel body are two regal Lords or shaman donning elaborate vestments, brandishing maces in the left hand, and surrounded by radiating corn plants. The remainder of the vessel body is decorated with a plethora of painted beans and sun motifs. An outstanding vessel that was likely used in ceremonial feasts or rituals, as pieces imbued with such elaborate iconography and decoration typically served more than utilitarian purposes. Size: 5.375" W x 8.625" H (13.7 cm x 21.9 cm)
  
  This vessel is replete with layers of symbolic meaning in addition to impressive artistry. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with the jaguar, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. In addition, 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. So oddly enough, few Moche artists would have actually scene jaguars as they are not indigenous to the coast, and 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 sun was also associated with Moche lords. We know from the iconography of other ceramic vessels that lords oftentimes wore sun disks to symbolize their origins as divine entities believed to have descended from the sun.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970 to 2008
  
  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.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #160646

  Condition

  Nicks and abrasions to felines and figures, with touch-up painting in several areas of body, handle, and neck, and fading to areas of original pigment, otherwise intact and very good. Nice preservation to figures and felines. Old inventory label beneath base.
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