Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche culture, ca. 200 to 400 CE. A fine hand-built pottery stirrup vessel featuring a beautiful crab on both sides. The round body sits on a flat base with a stirrup-shaped handle on top and a central cylindrical spout. The surface has a warm orange hue with burnished areas, and a band of red pigment under the handle. A darker russet hue details the two stylized crustaceans, raising their pinchers above their antennae eyes. The Moche depended on the ocean for sustenance, and crabs were venerated and associated with their sea deities. Great details and well preserved; perhaps this stirrup vessel was used as a votive piece! Size: 5.8" W x 6.75" H (14.7 cm x 17.1 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex- private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950s to 1960s

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.

#159586

  • Condition: Surface wear, nicks, and abrasions commensurate with age. Old inventory label on base surface. Fading of pigment in areas. Intact with nice details!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

October 22, 2020 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