Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, ca. 300 to 500 CE. A fine, slip-painted terracotta vessel, of a round bottomed form with a flared rim, depicting a wide register that contains two depictions of the Horrible Bird painted in a polychrome scheme of red, orange, chocolate brown, and white. Series of trophy heads decorate the backs of the birds and are intermingled with their feathers. In addition to naturalistic depictions of flora and fauna, the Nazca relished religious or mythical motifs such as the Horrible Bird rendered in this example. Size: 5.5" W x 4.125" H (14 cm x 10.5 cm)

Donald A. Prioux of the University of Massachusetts, who is an expert of Nasza ceramic iconography, describes the evolution of the Horrible Bird motif as follows, "In the earliest Nazca ceramic phases the Horrible Bird is depicted as a naturalistic predator, often shown eating human body parts. Beginning in Nazca 3, the motif becomes anthropomorphized with the addition of human legs to the creature. Its form becomes more stylized with a long, white-tipped beak clutching a human trophy head, and wing panels which also depict trophy heads. Even more variations with bizarre innovations are seen in Nazca 5, when the Horrible Bird reaches its apogee. The motif suddenly and inexplicably disappears at the end of Nazca 5; there are no Horrible Bird representations in the proliferous strain." (Donald A. Prouix "Nasca Ceramic Iconography: An Overview", The Studio Potter 29 (1): 37-43.)

Provenance: Ex-California Museum of Ancient Art, Santa Monica, CA

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#115292

One stable fissure on the side wall and a few nicks to the rim as shown. Expected surface wear commensurate with age, else excellent.