Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A fabulous mold made terracotta effigy vessel in the form of a man with a deer! This is a rare depiction of a shaman or hunter resting on a flat base, the body molded with his petite feet, bent legs, and arms. The deer is slung across the upper shoulders of the man, the buck’s antlered head is perked up and wide-eyed as if alive. The neck of the vessel is the man's face - his lips puckered to represent his status as a "Life Giver," which gave him the capacity to control some manifestations of life-forces, thereby allowing him the ability to 'blow the breath of life' into his subjects - perhaps this deer! The surface is decorated in white and brown pigment, and on the verso are elaborately painted textile patterns outlining cocoa bags. This deer and Life Giver are a very rare theme in Chancay iconography! Size: 6" L x 5.5" W x 10" H (15.2 cm x 14 cm x 25.4 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950-1960s

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#108950

Professionally repaired and restored. Spout mouth is restored. Shaman nose, deer head, wear and handle are restored. Great preservation of details and repairs are excellent and almost impossible to discern.