**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, Phase IV, ca. 450 to 700 CE. A fierce pottery stirrup vessel in the form of the head of Ai Apec (also Ai Apaec), the primary god of the Moche people. A pair of sinuous serpents slither across his scalp, each of their heads projecting out from just above his heavy-lidded eyes. His grimacing face features a snarling mouth with prominent fangs beneath a down-turned nose and flanked by stylized ears. Ai Apec is a sacred figure of Moche lore, a hero that journeys to different worlds, fighting monsters and overcoming obstacles to obtain supernatural powers and gifts. He provided water, food, and military triumphs to the Moche, but this powerful figure was also feared. Here, he bears the identifying marks associated with his iconography: feline fangs extending from his ferocious mouth and snakes sprouting from his head. Size: 6.2" W x 8.2" H (15.7 cm x 20.8 cm)

Ai Apec is the primary Moche deity of creation, food, water, military victory and the most feared but respected of the wrathful gods- and sometimes referred to as the headsman or decapitator god! His iconography varies, but his ferocious nature was often depicted as a combination of human, aquatic, spider, and jaguar traits. Scholars posit that during human sacrifices, when prisoners were decapitated, their heads were presented as offerings to Ai Apec.

Provenance: private Washington, DC, USA collection; ex-private Maryland, USA collection, May 28, 2011

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#180211

Professionally repaired with some small chips along break lines and some restoration in areas. Light, age-expected surface wear as shown. Otherwise, excellent presentation and nice preservation of detail. Earthen deposits throughout.