Moche V Pottery Fineline Moro Stirrup Vessel w/ Boat

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Ancient Treasures & Holiday Jewelry

By Artemis Gallery

Nov 19, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-11-19 10:00:00 2020-11-19 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient Treasures & Holiday Jewelry https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-treasures-holiday-jewelry-6035
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, north coast Peru, probably San Jose de Moro, Moche culture, Phase V, Moro type, ca. 650 to 900 CE. A beautiful bi-chrome pottery vessel with a gently flared foot, a carinated body, and a tightly curved, stirrup-shaped handle with a tapered spout projecting from the middle. The Moro-type vessel body presents intricate fineline motifs that form a prominent figure facing towards the right and riding in a reed boat while wearing a grandiose feathered headdress and elaborate finery. The carination of the body is meant to represent the boat resting in the waterline rather than illustrating water ripples or waves on the lower body. Beneath each handle curve is an abstract spider with a geometric body and large pincers, and bundles of weapons and stepped motifs adorn much of the handle surfaces. Size: 5" W x 7.7" H (12.7 cm x 19.6 cm)
  
  This vessel represents some of the finest example of Moche fine-line painting. As is the case with Moche artistry, artists had access to the highest quality brushes, slips, pigments, and accrued knowledge of those that had some before them. They also had a relatively stable political situation, unlike those who would come after them during the Moche V era. This example perhaps depicts a mythical warrior sailing on a solo voyage to destinations unknown. While the purpose of the journey is obscure, we can posit that it was one of significant importance for an illustration to be drawn onto a pottery vessel. Another possibility is that the depicted figure is one who recently died and was depicted sailing in his reed boat to ensure safe travels through the exotic realm of the afterlife.
  
  Cf. Donnan, Christopher B. and Donna McClelland. "Moche Fineline Painting: Its Evolution and Its Artists." UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, University of California, Los Angeles, 1999, p. 173, fig. 5.58
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from the 1950s to the 1960s
  
  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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  #160607

  Condition

  Restoration to very small area of foot with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Light abrasions to foot, body, handle, and spout, with minor fading to original pigment, and small amount of encrustations within spout. Great preservation to fineline motifs. Old inventory label beneath base.
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