Description:

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche III, ca. 200 to 500 CE. A mold-made greyware stirrup vessel with matching relief scenes depicting a bird of prey eating a human victim, one on each side. The bird is most likely a hawk representing the hawk clan of warriors. A fascinating example, replete with intriguing iconography that not only points to the ancients' interest in the macabre but also spiritual beliefs about reclaiming the souls of ones' fallen enemies. Size: 5.25" W x 7.375" H (13.3 cm x 18.7 cm)

Alan Sawyer has written about a Krannert Art Museum (University of Illinois) vessel depicting a similar scene with a hawk devouring the body of a soldier. He argues that although the hawk is not actually a carrion eating bird, iconography like this "is probably a symbolic representation of a totem," of the hawk clan of warriors, "reclaiming the soul of the fallen warrior so that his strength will not be lost to the clan." (Alan R. Sawyer "Ancient Andean Arts in the Collection of the Krannert Art Museum" Urbana-Champaign: Krannert Art Museum. 1975, no. 40)

Provenance: Ex-Ventura County, CA

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#119304

  • Condition: Cylindrical section of stirrup spout reattached with losses to rim. Pressure cracks on one relief

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January 19, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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