Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca, phase 3, ca. 250 BCE to 125 CE. Pre-Columbian, Southern Peru, ca. 125 to 250 CE. An attractive polychrome bowl with exterior walls presenting a wide register of repeated stylized geometric motifs that resemble butterflies in hues of red, orange, and chocolate brown on a white ground, with a brown band highlighting the upper rim and a red band just above the rounded base. Like birds, butterflies were sky creatures believed to serve as messengers between humankind and the celestial deities. In addition their penchant for metamorphoses symbolized transitory qualities aspired to by shaman. A beautiful example demonstrating the Nazca culture's embrace bold abstraction. Size: 5.875" W x 2.5" H (14.9 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Joan Hersey Pavao Collection, acquired in the 1970's

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#118195

Only minor surface wear with some scuffs and pigment loss as shown.