Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Late Moche V, ca. 600 to 700 CE. A lovely mold-made terracotta vessel decorated with a beautiful fine line bi-chrome painted program depicting seven bird heads extending downward from their long feathered necks in red on cream around the near spherical body which sits upon a concave base. A long tubular neck rises above, and an elegant, curved strap handle joins neck to shoulder. Pieces like these were often used for holding sacred fermented liquids consumed during ceremonies or placed in graves as offerings. A wonderful example, impressive for its elegant form as well as its painted iconographic program. In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were regarded as sky animals who serves as messengers between humankind and their deities. Size: 4.875" W at widest point x 7.375" H (12.4 cm x 18.7 cm)

Provenance: private Allison collection, Kent, Washington, USA, inherited in the mid-1970s

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#140648

Nicks to periphery of base, but otherwise intact. Expected surface wear with some paint loss commensurate with age, but the imagery is still easy to read. Paint possibly touched up in areas. Areas of white mineral deposits.