**Originally Listed At $500**

Pre-Columbian, Peru (North Coast), Moche Culture, Moche I period, ca. 100 to 550 CE. An amazing mold-made pottery stirrup vessel in the form of an old man The stirrup emerges from the top of his head and flows into a projecting spout with a small rolled rim. The face of the portrait vessel is incredible - lifelike, naturalistic, with a high level of detail.Size: 5.5" L x 4.5" W x 8.45" H (14 cm x 11.4 cm x 21.5 cm)

What was a vessel like this one used for? Although they definitely had a funerary purpose, many have signs of wear or abrasion, suggesting that they were used for some time period before they were placed in the grave. Recently, excavations of domestic areas have found similar vessels - so they were used in everyday life as well. Further, since we believe these represent important individuals in the culture rather than stylized figures, there are probably portrait vessels - perhaps some surviving - that show him as a younger man.

Provenance: Ex-New Hampshire collection, most acquired prior to 1985

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#119462

Very well done repair with restoration to the upper back of the head.