Description:

Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Moche III, ca. 400 to 600 CE. A provocative pottery portrait vessel of life-size scale depicting the head of a coca chewer in striking naturalism; the coca leaves creating a prominent bulge in his left cheek and his mouth slightly open to expose gnashing teeth. Flanked by a pair of sizeable, protruding ears, the alert visage presents risen brows above wide, open eyes, a sloped nose, angular cheek bones, a pointed chin, and fleshy lips that extend outwards. A flat-topped cap with an arching, vegetal motif crowns his head, surmounting his long, straight hair and opening at the top to form the wide rim of the vessel, while his thick neck serves as the planar base. His headdress, teeth, and sclerae are filled with a pale-yellow pigment that highlights his features and nicely contrasts against the red slip that envelops the rest of the vessel. Size: 8" W x 8.5" H (20.3 cm x 21.6 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-Hirsch collection, Germany, collected 1950s to 1970s

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#173817

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting in areas. Minor chipping to rim and some fire-darkening on proper right side. Otherwise, excellent with vibrant pigments.

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October 20, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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