Lot 93C
Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche, ca. 100 to 800 CE. A delightful trio of mold-made pottery rattle figures, each depicting a standing female with a rounded head, bent arms, and hands resting on the stomach. The central figure is nude, adorned with large disc earrings and a broad collar necklace, her facial features modeled in relief with wide eyes and a slightly parted mouth. The two flanking figures are bare-chested, wearing similar collar necklaces and rendered with stylized facial expressions. All three exhibit the Moche preference for compact, columnar proportions, with short legs, broad torsos, and schematic detailing of the limbs. Remnants of red, cream, and black pigment highlight the collars and facial features, with the rightmost figure retaining a boldly painted mask-like facial design. The hollow bodies contain internal rattles, suggesting these figures may have served both as sound-producing objects and as symbolic representations - possibly linked to fertility or ceremonial performance. Size of largest: 3.9" W x 6.7" H (9.9 cm x 17 cm)
These figures reflect the Moche tradition of portraying human subjects in clay with a high degree of individuality, yet adhering to recognizable archetypes. Their collar necklaces may denote status or ceremonial affiliation, while the consistent bent-arm pose suggests a shared ritual function.
Provenance: private Lake Worth, Florida, USA collection, acquired via descent in April 1997; ex-private American collection in Cyprus, acquired between 1957 to 1969, brought to USA in 1969
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#196547
- Condition: Two have been professionally repaired and restored with some repainting over break lines. One has chipped nose and a few chips to side, but is otherwise intact. All have expected surface wear. Liberal remains of pigments throughout. All still function as rattles.
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