Pre-Columbian, Southern Peru, Nazca, ca. 200 to 400 CE. Stunning polychrome pottery bridge-spouted, round bottomed vessel depicting two Nazca underworld demons in dramatic feline form, bodies depicting worm-like creature containing numerous faces, across center of jug; below a register of chili peppers. A fine form hand painted in hues of red, brown, beige, black, and white. The fact that we see a pair of underworld deities is indicative of the concept of dualism that is so deeply rooted in Andean cultural traditions. Pairs of entities reflect the fundamental understanding of the continuum between life and death, male and female, sun and moon, left and right, day and night, peaks and valleys . . . these central complementary ideologies that determined the religious beliefs and practices of Andean societies. Here we have an exquisite example replete with superb Nasca artistry and iconography. Size: 8" x 7" (20.3 x 17.8 cm)

Provenance: Ex-private K. Tiernan collection, CO; Ex-A. Schuetz Collection, FL

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#111130

Intact and excellent with some repainting.