Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, Phase III, ca. 350 to 550 CE. A hand-built and highly burnished stirrup vessel depicting a fierce warrior embattled against a massive crab monster. Each side of the russet-hued vessel presents a jaguar-toothed warrior wearing a double-headed serpent belt, a jaguar-headed headdress, a broad pectoral collar, and thick wrist bangles while wielding a tumi in his right hand. The warrior's left hand extends outward to fend off the advances of a monstrous crab with huge claws and human-like back legs. The midsection of the vessel bears cream-hued step pyramid motifs interspersed with zigzagging lines, and the stirrup-shaped handle is surmounted by a cylindrical spout with a lightly flared lip. Size: 5.625" W x 8.4" H (14.3 cm x 21.3 cm)

Cf. a similar warrior figure in Donnan, Christopher B. and Donna McClelland. "Moche Fineline Painting: Its Evolution and Its Artists." UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Los Angeles, 1999, p. 52, fig 3.23c.

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

#159509

  • Condition: Restoration to top of spout and areas of base, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and fading to original pigmentation, with softening to some finer details on body. Nice remains of figural 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