Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Huari (Wari), ca. 600 to 800 CE. Two adorable hand-built and highly-burnished pottery drinking vessels, each in the shape of a reclining armadillo curling around the bottom of a large cup. The bottoms of the animals are rounded so as to imitate nature, thereby prohibiting the ability to be placed upright; resting on the projecting tail and one tab-shaped ear, however, would not spill any liquid contained within. The cups themselves display striped and circular decorative programs across the exterior register, and are integral with the larger body vessel beneath. Each armadillo body displays a series of red-hued circular "scales" around the exterior with black spaces in-between, the abdomen colored in a creamy beige. Elongated heads protrude from the frontal body section, striped along the top, each with thinly-incised eyes and mouth as well as drilled nostrils. Size: 7.375" H (18.7 cm).

Armadillos are highly revered animals in the Pre-Columbian world due to their multiple symbolic interpretations. First and foremost, they represent fertility due to their unique birthing habits. Armadillos are one of the only species on earth that not only consistently give birth to quadruplets, but each baby in the litter are usually of the same gender. Additionally, armadillos typically have nine plated bands across their abdomens. This is symbolic because, in Pre-Columbian lore, the underworld is usually comprised of nine increasingly-tumultuous levels. The ancient Mesoamericans related this characteristic of armadillos to the underworld in a way that associated them with being either the guides through these chaotic realms or merely denizens that dwelled in each layer.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private Beverly Hills, California, 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.

#129740

One vessel has rim repaired from several pieces with areas of restoration, repairs to base, and repairs and restoration to ears and tail, all with light resurfacing and overpainting. Second vessel has repairs to rim, tail, and base, all with overpainting. Both vessels have age-commensurate surface wear, small hairline fissures, fading to surface pigmentation, and minor chips across exterior surfaces. Nice mineral deposits throughout.