Pre-Columbian, Peru, Jequetepeque River Valley, Chavin, ca. 1200 to 800 BCE. A gorgeous example of a hand-built pottery vessel of an early form with a sizable body depicting a spiraling conch shell. The light brown vessel exhibits a planar base, a globular body with the coiling form overhanging one side, a rounded shoulder, and a gently tapering spout with a flat, flared rim. Deeply incised striations across the body create the abstract and wondrous motifs across the surfaces which depict disembodied bird heads, and a pair of abstract, standing avian figures are illustrated around the spout. Size: 6.25" W x 8.125" H (15.9 cm x 20.6 cm)

The Chavin civilization is generally regarded as the Andean mother civilization - oftentimes compared to the Olmec of Mexico. Both the Chavin and the Olmec cultures created the earliest Pre-Columbian visual culture that continued to flourish until European contact in the 16th century. Using molds and modeling the forms by hand, the Chavin made numerous vessels like this example. Scholars have suggested that the indigenous used them to store fermented corn beer or "chicha."

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-private Hans Jurgen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950 to 1960s

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#171693

Repaired with restoration in some areas. Minor abrasions and fading to surface color, with very light softening to some incised decorations. Great preservation to most incised decorations. Old inventory label beneath base.