South Coast Peru, Moche or Huari (Wari) culture, ca. 200 to 1000 CE. A fascinating although morbid, wood poporo or lime container in the form of a female prisoner bound with arms behind her back and a spatulate stopper set in her mouth- the finial in the form of a bird. The kneeling woman is nude, her genitalia and breasts are prominent, as her head is forced unnaturally back by a rope twisted through her hair then around her wrists and ankles. Her open mouth forms the receptacle for the crushed lime mixture, and the vulture handle pick serves as a utensil for the lime user. The bird is likely symbolic of the vultures (perhaps condors!) that would peck the flesh from her remains - or more gruesomely - while she was still alive. Prisoners shown stripped of clothing and weapons in clear symbols of defeat were popular in ancient Peruvian cultures, perhaps emblems of power and triumph of the poporo owner. Size: 2" Diameter x 4.25" H (5.1 cm x 10.8 cm)

For a similar example of a prisoner poporo and more information, please see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's website, accession number: 1977.376.

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

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#174922

Surface abrasions and chips to figure's body and hair. Stable pressure fissures on head, otherwise intact. Bird pick is intact. Mineral and earthen deposits throughout and remains of lime.