**Originally Listed At $1200**

Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Huari, Lima-Niviera, ca. 1000 CE. A wonderful polychrome, double-lobed whistling stirrup spouted vessel. The front lobe depicts a male holding a large pet jaguar on a leash atop his shoulders. The scale is rather fun as the wild feline is quite large. The pair are meticulously detailed; note the jaguar's spotted coat, striated tail, bold facial features, and sharp extended claws. The man also has expressive facial features and wears a short v-neck shirt and minimal loin cloth. The rear lobe resembles a gourd with delineated segments, and the stirrup handle is beautifully painted with stepped and striated textile-inspired motifs. A wonderful example of extremely rare Lima Niviera pottery as Lima, the capital of Peru, is built upon the pyramids and ancient sites of this culture. Size: 6.375" L x 5.125" H (16.2 cm x 13 cm)

Jaguar imagery generally symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world; hence, warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. This said, we know from examples like this one that jaguars were sometimes kept as pets.

Provenance: ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970-2008

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#150545

Professionally repaired from multiple pieces with restoration over the break lines. Some repainting to the figure's face. Otherwise, very well done and difficult to see the repairs. Nice burnishing marks across the surface.