Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Moche, ca. 300 to 800 CE. You will not want to miss this one! A very distinctive mold-made polychrome figural vessel depicting an elaborately dressed woman graced in esoteric facial tattoos, hinting that she was perhaps a shaman or spiritual healer. The woman has fine, highly stylized facial features including sunken almond-form eyes, a heavily bridged nose, pouted lips, and a petite mole on the side of one of her cheeks. Her face is tattooed in a mesmerizing arrangement of symbols executed in a minimalist linear manner including zoomorphic iconography. She is dressed in a decorative polka dotted shirt and a striped cape. Swirled earspools adorn her ears and a thick necklace is set around her neck. Her hands are comfortably rested at her midsection with perhaps a shamanic gourd rattle in one of her hands. A beautiful example with lots of character and intrigue! Size: 6.5" L x 7" W x 12" H (16.5 cm x 17.8 cm x 30.5 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Bill Freeman collection, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA, acquired in the 1990s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#165010

TL drill holes on bottom of base and inside spout. Light fading to painted decoration. Inventory label on the bottom of base. Otherwise, in excellent condition and fully intact. An amazingly preserved example!