Lot 23
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chimu culture, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. A finely crafted blackware stirrup spout vessel, its rounded body adorned with modeled and relief details characteristic of Chimu artistry. Atop the shoulders project two pointed horns, perhaps representing stylized effigy heads, adding a sculptural presence to the otherwise smooth form. Encircling the vessel is a broad band of stippled decoration, its textured surface punctuated by the relief images of two birds in flight. On each side, the birds face one another with outstretched wings and touching beaks, a dynamic scene suggestive of balance, union, or cyclical motion. The contrast between the polished black slip and the stippled field highlights the skillful use of texture to animate the surface. Size: 6.4" L x 5.9" W x 8.3" H (16.3 cm x 15 cm x 21.1 cm)
The stirrup spout form, with its arched handle and tall cylindrical neck, reflects a quintessential Chimu ceramic tradition. Vessels such as this were not only utilitarian but also carried symbolic meaning, often placed in tombs as offerings to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The avian imagery, combined with the vessel's imposing silhouette, may reference themes of fertility, cosmology, or the soul's journey. This example embodies the refined elegance of Chimu ceramics, where simplicity of form is enlivened by carefully considered detail and symbolism.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; previously bequeathed to the Museum for Islamic Art, Jerusalem, Israel, stored for many years and exhibited in 1988; ex-Yosef A. Maiman collection, Consul of Peru A.H., acquired in 1993; ex-Kate Kemper collection, Switzerland, acquired in the 1940s or earlier
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#197030
- Condition: Stable hairline fissure on one side and some chips to rim of spout. Light abrasions and nicks in areas commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with good remaining decoration.
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