Lot 133F
**Originally Listed At $850**
Pre-Columbian, Peru (south coast), probably Middle Nazca, Phase 5, ca. 450 to 550 CE. A fantastically painted, round ceramic vessel, depicting the Anthropomorphic Mythical Being (AMB) in the manifestation of a bird with a downturned body. The Nazca liked to paint, over and over again, stylized figures of the AMB, a sacred theme perhaps drawn from the earlier Paracas culture or the earliest days of the Nazca. This example has a masked face, streaming trophy heads rising from its headdress, and a human body turned to one side with bird-like legs and tail. Humans with bird-like qualities are common Nazca motifs, each figure imbued with the power of raptors, who were seen as manifestations of mountain gods and rulers of the skies. Size: 6.15" W x 8.35" H (15.6 cm x 21.2 cm)
Archaeological evidence from the 20th century shows that these stylized paintings are based on real rituals - over one hundred mummified trophy heads have been found from Nazca excavations, almost all with a puncture to the front of the skull for suspension. Archaeologists specializing this culture continue to argue over the significance of these heads in Nazca culture - warriors fallen in battle? Taking the power of enemies by assuming ownership of a crucial part of their bodies? Remembrance of deceased relatives? The artwork here is an intriguing reminder of this lost culture.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex private Los Angeles, California, USA collection
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#132276
- Condition: Expertly repaired and restored from multiple large pieces, with most of the repair needed on the base. One area of overpainting low on the side. Otherwise, the artwork is in excellent condition.
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