Pre-Columbian, north coast of Peru, Moche Valley, Salinar / Moche transition, ca. 200 BCE to 200 CE. An amusing pottery stirrup vessel in the form of a nude male figure with a projecting phallus that serves as a petite spout and an expressive visage of wide eyes, an open mouth, and an extended tongue. The bald figure is shown squatting with a rotund body adorned with incised and painted linear and geometric designs perhaps representing tattoos or body paint. Erotic vessels like this example are common throughout ancient Peru and were thought to hold powers of fertility and productivity. This piece also has a humoristic significance, since liquid can be drunk or poured via the phallus spout as though it is being produced by the organ. Size: 4.4" Diameter x 8.4" H (11.2 cm x 21.3 cm)

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

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#174933

Professionally repaired and restored with repainting in areas. Some light abrasion and miniscule nicks to surface. Otherwise, excellent presentation and nice pigments with scattered manganese deposits.