Lot 88G
Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche I, ca. 100 to 200 CE. A figural stirrup vessel in the form of a conical-headdressed warrior. The warrior is kneeling, and wears a skirt decorated in red curvilinear details as well as a tunic with red spiralized motifs atop a cream ground. He wields a shield on one forearm, with a decorative program of concentric squares, and his other hand is slightly open, suggesting a separate weapon was held here at one point. His visage exhibits a fierce expression, with coffee-bean-shaped eyes, a bulbous nose, and a tight-lipped mouth, with large bullseye-form earspools covering the majority of his ears. The stirrup handle projects from the back of the figure, and the flared-rim cylindrical spout rises from the top arc. Size: 7.375" H (18.7 cm).
Warfare and warriors are recurrent themes in Moche art, a strong testimony to the violence of Moche society, which was riven by intense inter-rivalry competition. There was a ritual element to Moche warfare too: prisoners had to be captured to make sacrifices to the gods. This figure seems to be an ordinary warrior rather than a lord, as the latter are usually depicted wearing domed helmets.
Provenance: private Haiku, Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Splendors of the World, Haiku, Hawaii, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#129690
- Condition: Resurfacing and overpainting to areas of base and near genitalia. Age-commensurate surface wear, and small chips to head, arm, base, and spout. Light fading to surface pigmentation. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas, and nice mineral deposits throughout.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |