Huari Polychrome Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #412001
HU33

An awesome polychrome vessel from the Santa valley of Peru, ca. 650 - 800 AD. This superb example is 12” long, 10-1/2” high and features depictions of two-headed monsters on each side, with serpents emanating from the center of the bodies. An adorable spotted canine faces the checkerboard spout. This exceptional vessel showcases the strong influence exerted by the Huari throughout their empire and the blending of styles their artisans brought with them. The primary zoomorphic motifs are clea... Click for details

Inca Zoomorphic Whistling Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #411996
IN65

A superb Inca double-chambered polychrome bottle from Peru, ca. 1400 AD. This remarkable vessel is 7” high, 7-1/4” wide and is lavishly adorned. Each bottle is beautifully decorated with a series of coatimundi molded in high relief, alternating black and red against a white background. The dotted band above their heads most likely is symbolic of the star filled night sky. One of the bottles is topped by a spotted feline, certainly a nocturnal hunter, which also conceals the whistle. In exce... Click for details

Nice Pre-Columbian Jalisco Figure, West Mexico

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #408041

Jalisco is one of the modern states in Mexico, located in the west-central region bordering the Pacific Ocean. Archaeologists refer to the culture that flourished there in ancient times by its modern name since very little information is known about the people themselves. In comparison with the high civilizations of the Olmecs, Maya, and Aztecs, the Jalisco culture - and other West Mexican sites such as Colima, Nayarit, and Mezcala - remains shadowed in relative obscurity. The geography of the a... Click for details

Pre-Columbian Mixtec Incensario of Tlaloc, ex-Sothebys

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #406604

If you're looking for a large and striking piece, this is it... This chimney-shaped incensario is molded in the likeness of Tlaloc, the rain god, and measures over a foot and half tall and 16 pounds! It is also ex-Sotheby's (2004) and had an original estimate of $1200!

Tlaloc was the god of rain, agriculture and fertility in the Aztec/Mixtec pantheon of gods. He was considered responsible for rains, floods, lightnin... Click for details

Lambayeque Fighters

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #387677
LA97

An exceptional Lambayeque vessel from Peru, ca. 700 - 1350 AD. It is 8-1/4" high and depicts two men engaged in some type of wrestling match or ritual battle. Each is holding a large ball or stone object in one hand and is pushing the opponent with the other. The scene depicted is of cultural significance, as it most likely portrays a ceremonial or ritual event, certainly not common combat. Painted overall with highly burnished tan slip, highlighted with chestnut brown stripes and accents on... Click for details

Lambayeque Effigy vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #387143
LA67

A superb Lambayeque polychrome vessel from Peru, ca. 700 - 1350 AD. It measures 6-1/2" in diameter and is 6-1/4" high. Typically this unusual ring shape is identified as a headdress associated with rulers, but since this one has a rodent on top, I doubt it in this case. The little character is executed in fine detail and is depicted munching on something. A whistle with excellent clear tone is built into the strap handle and is hidden behind his back. In excellent condition, with great pain... Click for details

Inca Polychrome Scene

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #385129
IN39

A beautiful Inca polychrome bottle from Peru, ca. 1200 - 1450 AD. This fine 8-1/4" tall orangeware vessel is topped with a scene featuring three figures. The central figure is an ornately adorned male, being led by a pair of female attendants. His long tunic is delicately molded and incised with decorative designs, he is wearing elaborate ear ornaments and a crown, which forms the flared spout. Even the back of his garment is finely incised. Serpents are at his feet, as well as behinds him.... Click for details

Inca Yakon vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #384252
IN48

An exceptional Inca Yakon vessel from Peru, ca. 1200 - 1450 AD. This highly burnished effigy vessel is 7-1/2" long. The plant is a relative of the dahlia and produces edible spindle-shaped roots, which were consumed during an Inca ceremonial feast. The Moche prized yakon as food for special occasions and placed these effigy vessels in burials as nourishment for the dead and as offerings to the lords of the world beyond. In perfect condition. ... Click for details

Huari Portrait head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #380091
HU29

An exceptional early Huari Portrait head from Peru, ca. 650 - 800 AD. This highly burnished polychrome beauty is 4-1/4" high and 5-1/2" in diameter. The strong Nazca influence is still clearly visible in the rim design and the use of a serpent around the eyes, adapted from the Nazca falcon eye designs. He is adorned with a tube-type nose ornament, the paint is vivid and the piece is in exceptional condition.

Chimu Llama Head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #374617
CH197

A wonderful Chimu llama head from Peru, ca. 1100- 1450 AD. This nicely burnished blackware example is 7" long and 4-1/2" high. The animal has an expressive face and is depicted with an incised reign. In excellent condition, with good deposits.

See Donnan's "Ceramics of Ancient Peru", page 96, for similar example from the Fowler Museum at UCLA.