Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A finely crafted Moche pottery olla, its rounded body rising from a ring base to a tall flaring neck with slightly everted rim. The vessel is embellished with a modeled relief rope that encircles the neck and trails downward along one shoulder, as though binding the pot in a symbolic cord. Painted decoration animates the upper shoulder: bands of stylized birds in procession are framed by stepped motifs and chevron designs, motifs long associated with Moche textile patterns and architectural symbolism. The interplay of sculpted and painted ornament reflects the Moche mastery of ceramic art, blending three-dimensional modeling with intricate surface design. The rope relief may suggest binding or ritual securing, while the avian and geometric imagery conveys spiritual themes of fertility, cosmic order, and transformation. Size: 5.8" L x 6.8" W x 9.4" H (14.7 cm x 17.3 cm x 23.9 cm)

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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#197031

  • Condition: Professionally repaired and restored with repainting over some break lines and others visible. Two chips to rim and one to foot. Surface wear commensurate with age, but, otherwise, nice presentation with liberal remains of painted decoration.

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December 5, 2025 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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