**Originally Listed At $300**

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chavin-Cupisnique, ca. 1200 to 600 BCE. A fine pottery vessel of minimalist form, displaying a globular body, a thick, arched handle, and a broad, tubular spout, all sitting upon a planar base and enveloped in a vibrant orange slip. Size: 4" Diameter x 8.2" H (10.2 cm x 20.8 cm)

Cupisnique was a Pre-Columbian culture that thrived from circa 1500 to 500 BCE in what we know today as the northern Pacific Coast of Peru. The Cupisnique culture had a distinctive style of pottery as well as adobe architecture; however, it shared religious iconography and artistic styles with the later Chavin peoples, who resided in the same area, but arose a bit later. Scholars are still working to understand the relationship between the Chavin and Cupisnique cultures, and their names are used reciprocally at times.

The stirrup vessel is named for the stirrups of horseback riding. In addition to being attractive, these vessels were also practical. Their narrow openings prevented rapid evaporation of the precious liquid stored within - a great advantage given the extremely dry deserts of Peru. Note also that the shape of the neck made it easy to carry. Two stirrup vessels could be tied to the ends of a cord and suspended over a llama's back or a person's shoulder.

Provenance: private Lumberton, Texas, USA collection, acquired before 2010

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#169317

Repaired from several pieces with restoration and repainting over break lines. Restoration to rim. Areas of fire darkening. A few minor nicks in areas. Otherwise, excellent.