Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 500 to 850 CE. A spherical terracotta stirrup-spouted vessel with a molded human head and a fineline body painted onto the globular surface. His visage is skillfully modeled and painted with almond-shaped eyes highlighted with white pigments, a protruding nose, full closed lips, and black tattoos/face paint adorning the cheeks. The outline of his clothing and hands are painted in russet red on a creamy white ground, and hand holds a bowl as if he is eating or engaged in a ceremony. Vessels like this were often used for holding sacred fermented liquids consumed during ceremonies or placed in graves as offerings. A wonderful example, impressive for its creative use of 3-dimensional molding and fineline painting! Size: 7" L x 5" W x 8.5" H (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm x 21.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-W. Knox collection, USA, 2002

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#171697

Professionally restored and repaired. Head reattached and restoration to nose, spout, and handle. Great preservation to fineline painting and figure's head.