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Pre-Columbian, Northern Peru, Chavin culture, ca. 900 to 200 BCE. An incredibly rare, early example of a Chavin vessel, inspired by Maranon aesthetic and technique. The vessel is in the form of a squatting, bulbous-bodied mythical figure with jaguar-like tendencies. The figure stands on four tiny legs, each with delineated paws that project slightly outward from the bottom of the body. The head rises above the body of the vessel, forming the front part of the thick, curved handle. At the center of the handle is a short, wide spout. The creature’s face has round, button-like eyes below huge arching brows, a short snout, and a mouth full of fierce fangs. Red details are used sparingly on the piece, which is mostly creamy biege. Size: 6.75″ W x 8″ H (17.1 cm x 20.3 cm)
Vessels like this one probably were used for holding offerings and pouring libations of chicha onto graves and over the bodies of the dead. The jaguar head was symbolic of the most important god of the Chavin pantheon, Lanzon, whose body was conceived of in Chavin artwork as a combination of zoomorphic and anthropomorphic features. The artwork of Chavin represents the first widespread style in the Andes, inspirational to later cultures, especially the Moche.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Condition: Repaired and restored from multiple large pieces, with overpainting along the repair lines. This restoration is excellent and almost impossible to discern.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private H. J. Westermann collection, Germany
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 purchases.
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