Description:

Pre-Columbian, North/Central Coast of Peru, late Moche to Chimu, perhaps Huaylas/Santa, ca. 600 to 1000 CE. A mold-formed pottery vessel depicting the primary Moche god Ai Apec (also Ai Apaec) seated with crossed legs and with an abstract bird head emanating from each side of his head. Ai Apec is almost always shown as a demonic creature with long fangs of a jaguar - as is the case with this vessel. But here, Ai Apec is shown as a corn god wearing 8 full ears of corn and a tunic made from many individual corn kernels. Corn, of course, was an incredibly important food staple, and this jar shows how Ai Apec was influential in all aspects of Moche life.

Provenance: private Leonard collection, Virginia, USA, acquired in Peru in the 1970s

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#180455

  • Condition: Minor abrasions and chips, with light fading to pigment in scattered areas, and expected pitting, otherwise intact and excellent. Great preservation to overall form of corn body.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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