Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A boldly painted pottery bowl featuring a register of swifts, a speedy species of bird in the Apodidae family, in profile around the vessel. The bird imagery is symbolic since swifts (also known as "vencejo") are associated with water and fertility - their migration in Peru coincides with the movement of streams as the season's change. Swifts, as the name implies are fast and graceful birds that can reach cruising speeds up to 70 mph (112 km/h)! These birds spend most of their life flying- indeed some species have been known to sleep while airborne- and they are rarely, if ever, seen on the ground, preferring to perch on vertical surfaces. Undoubtably the Nazca observed these swiftlets with awe and possibly envy for their speed and elegance, and these birds were believed to serve as guides for shamans. Size: 5.75" Diameter x 4.25" H (14.6 cm x 10.8 cm)

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

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#174817

Minor chip to rim, otherwise intact and excellent. Bold pigments and clear motifs!