Moche Pottery Stirrup Vessel – Sea Lion Shaman Drummer- Lot 119e, Auction 5/9/2019
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Moche Pottery Stirrup Vessel – Sea Lion Shaman Drummer- Lot 119e, Auction 5/9/2019

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Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, Phase IV to V, ca. 600 to 800 CE. An interesting mold-formed pottery vessel with a round but stable base, a bulbous body, an arching stirrup-shaped handle, a tapering conical spout, and engraved pinnipeds (fin-feet) on the base. The highly-burnished body depicts a kneeling sea-lion shaman with a fierce countenance boasting huge almond-shaped eyes, pointed ears, and bared teeth, all capped beneath a feathered headband with a central medallion. Displayed within the mouth is an iconic gastrolith which perhaps indicates that the liquid once contained within held therapeutic or medicinal properties as was concurrently believed about the gastrolith itself. The figure holds a large drum with one hand in front of the smooth chest and grasps a rod-form beater in the other. Fine light-brown stripes accentuate the chest and back atop a cream-slipped ground and imbue the figure with a personalized presentation. Size: 4.125″ W x 8.8″ H (10.5 cm x 22.4 cm).

Condition: Restoration to area of left arm with overpainting along new material, and possible restoration to fingers on right hand. Stabilization to some fissures along base. Small chips and abrasions to drum, base, body, head, and spout, with fading to original pigmentation, light encrustations, and small areas of fire-darkening. Light earthen deposits throughout.

Provenance: private southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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