AN OUTSTANDING MAYA EARLY CLASSIC PERIOD CERAMIC MOLDED POISON JAR dating c.a.250-500AD. The bottle has a flattened round form with a short spout and is raised on a shaped foot with a god (possibly god K) and glyphys on each side. It still retains a good deal of the original cinnabar. It has been professionally reassembled from two original pieces with the crack line filled. It measures 3 1\8" in height by 3 1/4" in width and is 1 3/8" in depth. It will come with a COA and has impeccable credentials. There are few of this quality still to be found.

A highly unusual ceramic creation from The Moche Culture of Northern Peru ca400-700A.D. This stirrup handled jar measures 11 1/2" in height by 6" at the widest diameter. It depicts four raised lizards hiding between the buds of The San Pedro Cactus. The circular shelf just below the spout is adorned with stepped pyramids. The base color is a highly burnished soft tan and the design elements are executed in a deep cinnamon red. Each raised lizard is 5" in length. For the collector of the unusual.

AN ALMOST IDENTICAL SET OF PRE-COLUMBIAN MOCHE JARS FROM PERU.These unsurpassable vessels date from AD100-800 and are almost identical with only a slight difference in the length of their side mounted stirrup spouts. They measure approximately six and three fourths inches in height with six and one fourth inch diameters and are guaranteed authentic in all ways. Their basic slip color is a soft burnt orange with raised snail motifs surrounding the vessel in a slightly lighter shade of gold/brown. The upper neck of the vases have stylized avian motifs in a soft golden yellow. Note that the center of the jars have a cup-shaped bottom and were most likely used to hold ground herbs or other ceremonial powders which could be inhaled. The spouts on the sides are hollow and allow liquids to fill the vessel for drinking use. I would prefer to keep them together as a set but I would possibly consider splitting them up and selling them individually. They really are fantastic and rare expressions of creativity from the ancient past of Peru.

This fine ceramic piece is a classic example of an elegantly executed Nayarit vessel from West Mexico dating ca 300BC-300AD. It measures a full 12" in height by 6" in width and depicts a mourning(?) dignitary seated on a stool with arm raised to the mouth. It is carefully detailed and nicely burnished. The overall color is a a rich terra-cotta brown with remnants of the original coal black paint used to draw linear geometric patterns on the upper torso and shoulders. The figure has deeply incised eyes and large multiple ear ornaments as well as a single nose ring. Great care was taken to create the rounded incised striated coiffure. There are numerous strong mineral deposits attesting to its great age and the purchaser will, of course, be provided a COA.

A superb hand modeled terracotta female shaman effigy from Ecuador dating ca200-600A.D. The figure stands 10" in height by 5" in width. The ornately garbed figure has almond shaped eyes and is wearing a long tunic and a massive head piece along with a huge nose ring and multi-strand necklace. She is grasping a ceremonial staff in one hand and a large rounded squash shaped ceremonial ball in the other. Two large raised cocoa beans on her head piece further strengthen her ceremonial representation. Traces of the original dark green pigment still remain.

AN AMAZING AND CAPTIVATINGLY GROTESQUE PRE-COLUMBIAN MOCHE CERAMIC CREATION This life-sized depiction of a disease ridden hman appendage will command your full attention at the least. This remarable vessel is extraordinary and momentarily spellbinding. It is an authentic ancient Moche creation from northern Peru dating from c.a.100-860AD. It stands a full 10 1/2” inches in height and measures 8” from heel to toe with a 3 3/4” diameter at its widest. It is a deep flesh tone and highly burnished. The Moche Culture never ceases to amaze with depictions of the sublime, severe, brutal, gentle, and naturalistic themes found in their amazing ceramic inventory. You will be either enchanted or repelled by this cultural curiosity. This gripping ceramic piece should appeal to those fascinated with or involved in the health-care industry as well as the individual who has the ability to understand and appreciate good grotesque. The photos tell the story in more detail than any words so I will leave you to react as you see fit.

An exceptional example of Moche fineline work from Northern Peru dating ca 400-860A.D. This beautiful piece measures 11" in height by 6" in diameter. It is adorned with a large raised toad clutching the base of the single spout along with a beautifully drawn underwater vignette picturing shrimp, fish, frogs, birds, sea urchins, and a large stylized flower or possibly a sand dollar. Moche fineline work at its best!

MOCHE ” DANCE OF DEATH” VESSEL FROM PRE-COLUMBIAN PERU. To those unaccustomed to Moche iconography this vessel will appear macabre at best. In reality, according to the highly acclaimed book “Moche Fineline Painting” by Donnan and Mcllelland, you are witnessing a joyful celbration taking place in what might be referred to as Moche heaven. This globular single stirrup bottle measures 6” in diameter and stands 8” in height and dates from c.a.100-800AD. The background slip is pale buff in color and the various motifs are painted using a red-brown pigment. You will note five animated emaciated skeletal human figures encircling the vessel in a lively dance of drunken glee as the numerous floating vessels in the scene would have contained chicha “corn beer.”Also note the food vessels for the eternal banquet. The figures have long portruding tongues perhaps signifying a singing festival as well. At the base of the stirrup handle there is a rectangular frame incorporating cross-hatched diamond motifs. The jar is intact save for one nickle-sized probe hole which has been professionally restored. For other examples of this type see pg.48 and pg.117 in the book referenced above. The piece is guaranteed absolutely authentic as presented and you will receive a COA.

This stunning pottery creation comes from Northern Peru and was created c.a.1450-1534AD by The Inca Culture. It stands 8" in height by 7" to the outside of the carrying handles. The geometric polychrome jar is painted in colors of pale brown, deep cinnamon, black, and off-white. Note the animal head adorno at the base of the widely flaring spout. A fine creation any way you look at it and it will come with a COA.

A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THE PRE-COLUMBIAN CRAB DIETY FROM NORTHERN PERU. This Moche canchero (dipper) depicting the crab diety (see further examples on pages 174 & 175 of the book “Moche Fineline Painting” by Donnan & Mclelland) dates from c.a. 100-800AD and stands 10” in height by 7” in diameter. The background slip is a buff color and the motif is drawn in shades of cinnamon brown. The upper human head of the composite creature is wearing an ornate plumed headdress. He has a confident fierce demeanor with mouth agape and tongue extended. The lower section represents a stylized crab with a wide torso and raised claws. It depicts both extended side “arms” as well as crouching human legs with knee pads and coverings reaching half way up the leg. The face of the crab is severe and fierce with a snarling fanged mouth and upturned almond shaped eyes with solid brown center circles. The body of the vessel is totally in intact with no restoration. A section of the painted design on the upper left of the vessel has had the pigment professionally enhanced as it was somewhat faded and lessened the visual impact of the creature. A COA will be provided with the vessel affirming the information given above.

A GENTLE EXAMPLE OF PRE-COLUMBIAN MOCHE PERUVIAN ART. This soft and kind stirrup vessel dates from 500-800AD from the northern coastal area of ancient Peru. It is nine inches in height and five and one half inches in diameter. The spouted stirrup jar depicts an abstract relief decoration with stylized wave patterns cresting with long beaked birds heads. The vessel has a red-brown base with painted white highlighted areas. There are strong mineral deposits on the surface which help attest to its ancient origin. The spout and chimney have been professionally reattached and the vessel is otherwise intact and in overall excellent condition. Many Moche vessels depict the more violent war-like side of the Moche culture and it is a pleasure to see a piece with soft colors and an overall sense of serenity in lieu of fighting bird warriors and the combat scenes representing power and bloodshed so often depicted on stirrup vessels from the period.

This piece is indeed a charmer and defines the term of "having a monkey on your back!" It is an authentic Moche effigy dating from the Moche III period which would date it at c.a.400-450AD. It measures 7" in overall length by 6" in height. I wont go into a lot of descriptive written detail on this one since the photos tell the story on their own. Feel free to contact me with any questions about the piece. It will, of course, come with a COA attesting to its authenticity.