Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 10th to 12th CE. An exceptionally large, hand-built, polychrome effigy vessel, perhaps a burial urn, depicting a seated male figure holding a pedestaled offering or begging bowl with both hands. The neck of the jar is modeled in the likeness of his human face, featuring oval eyes, a pointy nose, pursed lips, and jutting chin - with stylized tattoos or face paint embellishing the eyes, nose, mouth, and cheeks. He is elaborately adorned with a grand headdress presenting five ridged columnar high relief motifs, enormous round earspools, and an incised pectoral of three rows of rectangular 'beads'. Elements of his body are presented in relief (arms, legs, feet), his hands as applied attachments with incised fingers, and additional details are painted in rich red and chocolate brown hues on a light beige slip. Quite impressive for its size, condition, fine hand-building technique, lovely color scheme, as well as the carefully delineated depiction. Size: 9.75" in diameter at widest point x 19.5" H (24.8 cm x 49.5 cm)

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired over twenty years ago - includes old Whisnant Gallery tag

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#122986

One piece reattached to rim of headdress. Loss to periphery of right ear spool. Minor surface wear and staining to areas of headdress.