Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Chimu, ca. 1100 to 1470 CE. A beautifully preserved blackware canteen, with twin vertical looped handles low on the body and a band of large relief pelicans encircling the upper body. Perched beneath the wide, flaring mouth is a monkey, his long tail hanging down between two of the panels containing pelicans. A great variety of birds appears in ancient Andean artwork, often depicted in ways that both emphasized supernatural qualities they were believed to have but also showing that the artisans were familiar with what real birds of many species looked like. To the Chimu, birds signified prestige. They are never anthropomorphized, but instead appear in stylized, repeated, geometric patterns. Pelicans, in particular, were thought to have the ability to dive into the world of the ancestors, and were common decorations on Chimu artwork. The monkey, meanwhile, seems to have been a playful figure, and his presence here may have been a humorous addition by the artist. Size: 6.45" W x 7.1" H (16.4 cm x 18 cm)

Provenance: ex-Hudson, New York, USA collection

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.

#148120

  • Condition: Intact and beautifully preserved with light deposits in the lower profile areas.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

August 6, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
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