The Cajamarca culture developed as a small independent state in the north highlands of Peru in the wake of the Chavin horizon. Although little is known about this culture, the pottery of the region is distinct, with bold scrolls and geometric designs in brown, black, or red on cream-colored ground. The shallow bowl pictured here measures six inches in diameter and stands two inches high on a shallow footed base. The motif consists of a series of four "cartoonish" faces painted in brown with a cream colored slip in the background. There is a radiating circle in the center of the bowl with a center circular design surrounded by six similar circles. There are odd "s" shaped creatures floating in the background and triangles with hook shaped tales suspended from the rim. This piece tells a story that has been lost in time since there are no written records from the period. Cajamarca remained independent until it was conquered by the Inca; in a twist of fate, Cajamarca was also the location of Pizarro's ambush of the Inca king Atahualpa in 1532, which marked the end of the Inca Empire. CONDITION: Intact and in good shape with extensive deposits. The tripod legs are pierced and likely contained rattles at one point, although they no longer do so. DIMENSIONS: 6" wide and 3.25" tall

AN EXCEPTIONAL PRE-COLUMBIAN LAMBAYEQUE KERO (DRINKING VESSEL) FROM THE COAST OF ANCIENT PERU. The piece is guaranteed absolutely authentic with a full money back guarantee if it is other than presented in this description. It dates from 800-1300AD. This is an unusually large piece measuring 8" in height and 5" in diameter at the rim. It is beautifully formed with a light cinnamon highly burnished exterior and combines geometric designs along with four anthropomorphic faces painted in a much darker brown which causes the design elements to show at their very best. There are four rectangular designs around the rim with triangles containing circles with dots in their centers and a stylized 'x" running from corner to corner. It has been professionally restored from three large original pieces with no overpaint to the images. There is a good chance it was ceremonially broken during ancient times. This was often done to "release the spirit" which was thought to reside in man made objects. This theory has been presented in a number of highly respected publications. The overall effect creates a handsome and particularly notable visual artifact.