Huge Paracas Anthropomorphic Polychrome Vessel
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Description
Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Paracas, ca. 600 to 500 BCE. One of the most impressive Paracas ceramic vessels we have ever seen, this bottle with its pristine spherical body and spool shaped attenuated neck is anthropomorphosed with a finely delineated head of a warrior, ruler, or shaman donning an impressive striated helmet. His visage is elegantly modeled with protruding slitted eyes, a straight nose, crescent moon shaped ears, and slightly emerging closed lips. The gentleman appears to be in a trancelike or prayerful state with his closed eyes, scarification or tear marks, and an overall solemn expression. His body is further delineated with incised arms and legs hugging the contours of the sphere. Both hands gesture toward a geometric glyph, perhaps a stylized "God's Eye" glyph, incised upon his chest. Additional geometric symbols adorn the remainder of the sphere. Ceramics were a significant form of visual culture created by the Paracas artisans. Usually their vessels were actually decorated after the firing process with resin-based colors, but here the rich textural red and orange slips that contast so nicely with the smooth, black bottom and rim as well as the painstakingly incised details were created prior to the firing process. A rare example from this very early Peruvian culture, impressive for its overall orb-like form symbolizing the greater cosmos or universe as a harmonious whole and sublime modeled and incised anthropomorphic countenance! Size: 10.75" in diameter x 11" H to tip of head (27.3 cm x 27.9 cm)
Provenance: Ex-California Museum of Ancient Art
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#115287
Provenance: Ex-California Museum of Ancient Art
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#115287
Condition
Small old nick to helmet rim as shown and repaired from many pieces.
Buyer's Premium
- 22.5%
Huge Paracas Anthropomorphic Polychrome Vessel
Estimate $12,000 - $18,000
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Item located in Boulder County, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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