Lot 84
Pre-Columbian, Peru, Nazca, phase 5, ca. 450 to 500 CE. A round-bottomed polychrome terracotta bowl adorned with a "Horrible Bird" motif, a mythical being represented as an anthropomorphized raptorial bird, probably a combination of condor and hawk, representing one of the most powerful forces of the sky. The bird is whisking off a large trophy head and there are two smaller ones in its clutches as well as a plethora of smaller heads depicted along its body. This is a fine example of Horrible Bird iconography of phase 5, painted in hues of red, orange, white, grey, and black. A wondrous example! Size: 7-3/8" (18.7 cm) in diameter x 3-1/4" (8.3 cm)H.
Donald A. Prioux of the University of Massachusetts, who is an expert of Nasza ceramic iconography, describes the evolution of the Horrible Bird motif as follows, "In the earliest Nazca ceramic phases the Horrible Bird is depicted as a naturalistic predator, often shown eating human body parts. Beginning in Nazca 3, the motif becomes anthropomorphized with the addition of human legs to the creature. Its form becomes more stylized with a long, white-tipped beak clutching a human trophy head, and wing panels which also depict trophy heads. Even more variations with bizarre innovations are seen in Nazca 5, when the Horrible Bird reaches its apogee. The motif suddenly and inexplicably disappears at the end of Nazca 5; there are no Horrible Bird representations in the proliferous strain." (Donald A. Prouix "Nasca Ceramic Iconography: An Overview", The Studio Potter 29 (1): 37-43.)
Themes represented on Nazca ceramics are generally of three main categories including (1) naturalistic motifs such as birds, animals, flowers and plants, reptiles and amphibians, fish and other sea creatures (2) religious or mythical motifs including the Horrible Bird, as rendered in this example, the Anthropomorphic Mythical Being, Mythical Killer Whale, Spotted Cat, Serpentine Creature, Mythical Harvester, and Harpy, and (3) geometric designs such as circles, bands, and cross-hatched lines. Note that the Nazca were not particularly interested in depicting portraits of distinct individuals, indications of social rank, scenes of daily activities, or representations of celestial phenomena.
Provenance: Ex-private Colorado Springs collection. 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. #108801
- Condition: Intact with normal surface wear.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |