Pre-Columbian, Peru, Nazca culture, probably Phase 3 to 4, ca. 200 to 450 CE. A charming and exceptionally-preserved polychrome vessel with a body that narrows from its rounded, wide base up to a small mouth with a flaring rim. Painted around the body is a series of near-identical hummingbirds, their bodies depicted with their long beaks near the vessel neck, as if reaching up to drink nectar from it. During these phases of Nazca painting, known as the Monumental Strain, naturalistic representations of animals, especially birds like these hummingbirds, swallows, condors, and water birds, are common (later Nazca art became more abstract). The same is true for naturalistic representations of plants, which is why we see the chili peppers that are dotted around the bodies of the birds. Size: 4.05" W x 2.5" H (10.3 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: ex private Florida, USA collection

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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#130905

Light pitting on underside. Intact, with gorgeously preserved motifs.