Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Lambayeque, ca. 700 to 1200 CE. A striking double bottle pottery vessel, the front lobe in the form of a parrot with an expressive visage, finely detailed with its round eyes dramatically peering ahead and a pointed beak, with a lovely sounding whistle incorporated in the head. Adding to the representation are nicely applied and modeled wings and claws as well as finely painted sinuous and geometric designs on its chest. The lobed vessel has a square based rear spout with parrot appliques adorning three sides connected to the strap bridge handle. The vessel boasts a beautiful polychrome finish in hues of red, orange, black and cream. A rare find not only for its unusual form and fine artistry, but also its highly symbolic iconography as parrots were and continue to be revered by the ancients of South America. Their brilliant plumage and ability to fly high above the tree line made them ideal incarnations of the sky deities. Parrots in particular were endowed with supernatural powers, likely of celestial origin. Size: 9" (22.9 cm) x 7-1/4" (18.4 cm).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-private Westermann Collection, Germany, acquired in the 1950s.

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#101363

  • Condition: Intact with functioning whistle. Minor surface wear. Nice manganese deposits. Near choice!

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July 14, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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