Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A fantastical mold-made pottery open vessel in the form of a clawed crustacean! The lobster, perhaps a langostino crab, is crouching upon a hollow spherical base, the claws and pincers molded in low relief, slipped in red to contrast with the white ground. The elongate body is painted in brick red, and the surface is impressed and painted a lighter orange hue to highlight the segmented abdomen and outstretched tail, with the round mouth opening situated in the center of the carapace. The wedge-shaped head featured a raised crest, a pair of hemispherical eyes, and antennae lining the sides of its head- an overall endearing appearance! This lobster is symbolic of the Moche's dependance on sea life, and / or the creator deity, Ai Apaec, who harnessed the power of the sea. Size: 8.5" L x 4" W x 5.5" H (21.6 cm x 10.2 cm x 14 cm)

For a stylistically similar example of a lobster stirrup vessel, please see the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 44.41.2.

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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#173392

Choice and excellent. Some surface wear and fading to pigments, but intact. Light mineral and earthen deposits on interior.