Lot 132A
Nazca Pottery Decapitated Portrait Head Vessel
Nazca Pottery Decapitated Portrait Head Vessel
Starting Bid: $500
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Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Nazca culture, ca. 200 to 600 CE. A powerful polychrome pottery vessel in the form of a human trophy head, the rounded body modeled as a severed head with boldly painted facial features. The face is framed within a cream slip ground set against the darker burnished surface of the rest of the vessel, its wide eyes outlined in black, with thick brows, red cheek stripes, and a gaping mouth showing clenched teeth. The nose and brows are modeled in low relief, enhancing the expressive intensity of the visage. This vessel belongs to the long-standing Andean tradition of trophy head iconography, which played a central role in Nazca religion and ritual. Trophy heads were associated with warfare, agricultural fertility, and the transmission of vital force. Archaeological evidence shows that the Nazca not only depicted trophy heads in their art but also collected and curated actual human heads, often modified for ritual display. Size: 6" Diameter x 4.8" H (15.2 cm x 12.2 cm)
The vessel form here transforms that symbol of power and sacrifice into a functional object, likely used in ritual contexts where libations or offerings were poured and consumed. The dark, burnished surface and strong contrast of cream and red paint give the piece a commanding presence, while the modeled features emphasize both human likeness and symbolic abstraction. As with many Nazca ceramics, the design bridges the literal and the spiritual, embodying themes of death, transformation, and renewal.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-Hill Auction Gallery, Sunrise, Florida, USA; ex-collection of a microbiologist who lived and worked in Peru during the 1970s
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#197638
- Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines. New material used to stabilize fissures in areas, as well as chip to rim and surface wear commensurate with age. Nice remaining detail and pigments.
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| 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 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |