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Large Moche Cup w/ Child Figure, Pre-Columbian Peru browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian: Sculpture: Pre AD 1000: Item # 944775
Riverbend Gallery By Appointment Athens, GA 30605 706-424-4626 Guest Book $289 |
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A large cup from the ancient Moche culture of Pre-Columbian Peru, circa 100 A.D. - 800 A.D. Measuring approximately 6 1/4" tall by about 3 1/2" wide, this cup is modeled in the form of a seated figure that likely depicts a child holding an undefined item to its chest. In other comparable examples, the figure is typically clutching a cup- which may simply be implied in this example. These have always interested me because they typically show a child figure that appears to be in a crouched/fetal position, with hands to chest, often holding something. I speculate that these may represent child sacrificial victims, since Peruvian Pre-Columbian traditions often involved child sacrifices, evidence of which shows them often found in fetal-like positions (Inca child mummies), and having been given a drug/drink to dull their senses before they were sacrificed. Since they were given a drug/potion in liquid form to drink, I think this ties in to their depiction on these cups for symbolic reasons. I doubt that all of these examples represent cups that were necessarily used for that purpose (though some examples could have been), but rather believe the symbolism is likely merely tied to the cup, which may have had some other purpose in ceremonial, offerings, or even daily use. Condition: Intact with no restoration or repair. Minor rim chips, abrasions and wear overall. Mineral deposits and moderate staining inside and out are evidence of authenticity and ancient use. As visible in the photos, the surface condition shows some pitting overall, but the surface is stable and this is what many authentic Moche items look like as a result of the high soluble salt content of the soil in that region. Provenance: Former Beverly Hills, CA private collection. The previous owner indicated they purchased this at an estate auction in the 1960's and were informed this had been originally collected in the 1940's by the prior owner (who regularly did work in South America as a Geologist)- which is good, early provenance. A good, authentic example of a fascinating type of ancient Moche pottery. |
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