Lot 81
Pre-Columbian, South Highlands of Peru, the northern basin of Lake Titicaca, Pucara (also spelled Pukara) Culture, Early Intermediate Period, ca. 300 to 700 CE. Finely carved from a large piece of black stone, a magnificent sculpture depicting a crouching jaguar perched upon an integral plinth. The mighty wild feline presents an expressive visage comprised of wide-open ovoid eyes, a protruding rounded nose, and a mouth framed by a pair of large fangs. His spotted coat, believed to symbolize the starry sky in the Pre-Columbian world, is delineated via incised four-armed star or cross-like forms on the sides and concentric rectangles on his back. A rare and spectacular piece from one of the earliest Peruvian civilizations! Size: 12.25" L x 4.75" W x 9.5" H (31.1 cm x 12.1 cm x 24.1 cm)
The jaguar symbolized power and might throughout the Pre-Columbian world. Warriors, rulers, hunters, and shamans alike associated themselves with this king of beasts, the largest and most powerful feline in the New World. The principal god of another Peruvian culture, the Moche, wears a headdress adorned with a jaguar head and paws and important mortals donned similar headdresses. A nocturnal animal, the jaguar sleeps in caves and dark places and creeps quietly in the forest, evoking great mystery. Oddly enough, few Moche artists would have actually scene jaguars as they are not indigenous to the coast. Jaguars prefer moist forest conditions. However, scholars believe that some cubs were transported over the mountains for Moche rituals and it is also possible that some jaguars wandered down the coast. Whether the jaguar actually lived among the Pucara remains a question as well. Archaeologists do, however, know that the Pucara valued jaguar pelts and probably traded with the people of the Amazonian lowlands in order to acquire them.
According to Stoetzer Fine Art Services, "Visible surface features appear to be consistent with the presumed period of production."
Provenance: ex-Alan Davis collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired from Lothar Heubel who had this piece in his collection since 1969; This sculpture was examined/analyzed by Stoetzer, Inc. Fine Art Services, Miami, Florida USA on 10/30/2016 and will come with the paperwork from that analysis.
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#124381
- Condition: Expected surface wear with scratches and a few old nicks commensurate with age. Overall excellent.
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