Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 500 to 800 CE. An attractive bi-chrome terracotta amphibian effigy vessel depicting an endearing sitting toad or frog with a large conical spout emerging from his back - all skillfully embellished with low to high relief details and finished as redware highlighted with added white pigment. This lively fellow presents an expressive visage featuring a wide alluring smile, bulging eyes, and a large raised nose with three objects - probably hallucinogenic pods - hanging from each side of his neck. In the Pre-Columbian world, frogs and toads were viewed as harbingers of the spring season, and the Moche were known to use frog/toads to extract strong hallucinogenic substances. Size: 7" W x 7.375" H (17.8 cm x 18.7 cm)

Provenance: private Lewis collection, Florida, USA, acquired at Arte Primitivo, NYC, NY

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#150653

  • Condition: Intact and excellent with ample surface deposits that have developed over the ages.

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December 5, 2019 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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