Description:

Pre-Columbian, north coast Peru, Moche, ca. 300 to 500 CE. A remarkable pottery vessel in the form of a spotted snake with the head of a jaguar. 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. What's more, the principal Moche god 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 seen 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. Size: 7" L x 7.7" W x 4.8" H (17.8 cm x 19.6 cm x 12.2 cm)

The serpent is a fascinating element of Pre-Columbian iconography as well. First off, it was regarded to be a beneficial source of nourishment and at the same time quite deadly with its poisonous venom. Also important to the indigenous was the fact that snakes shed their skin annually thus rejuvenating themselves and serving as symbols of renewal and good health.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired before 2000

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#185988

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines; all done expertly and difficult to see. Otherwise, excellent presentation with great pigments and detail. Nicely burnished exterior. Earthen deposits on interior.

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June 7, 2024 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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