Description:

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A fantastical mold-made pottery open vessel in the form of a clawed crustacean! The lobster, perhaps a langostino crab, is crouching upon a hollow spherical base, the claws and pincers molded in low relief, slipped in red to contrast with the white ground. The elongate body is painted in brick red, and the surface is impressed and painted a lighter orange hue to highlight the segmented abdomen and outstretched tail, with the round mouth opening situated in the center of the carapace. The wedge-shaped head featured a raised crest, a pair of hemispherical eyes, and antennae lining the sides of its head- an overall endearing appearance! This lobster is symbolic of the Moche's dependance on sea life, and / or the creator deity, Ai Apaec, who harnessed the power of the sea. Size: 8.5" L x 4" W x 5.5" H (21.6 cm x 10.2 cm x 14 cm)

For a stylistically similar example of a lobster stirrup vessel, please see the Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 44.41.2.

Provenance: ex-Marc Amiguet Schmitt estate, Amiguet's Ancient Art, Evansville, Indiana, USA, acquired prior to January 1, 2010

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.

#173392

  • Condition: Choice and excellent. Some surface wear and fading to pigments, but intact. Light mineral and earthen deposits on interior.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

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

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% 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