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LOT 2413
Pre-Columbian Moche Anthropomorphic Vessel
CIRCA 5TH-6TH CENTURY A.D.
8 in. (550 grams, 20.2 cm high).
Hollow-formed bulbous vessel with burnished finish, seated or crouching male figure with bent legs and arms across his waist, straps to the chin securing a flat-topped cap with rectangular flap to the rear decorated with a ropework saltire; the face with aquiline nose, lentoid eyes and small curved mouth; between the hands, a small bird with discoid eye and wings partly extended; funicular spout to the top; marked 'OTX' to the underside. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom the collection of a Norfolk, UK, gentleman, 1990s.
FootnotesExamples of birds are relatively common across the spectrum of Moche pottery as are other animals depicting battle or hunting scenes.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Pre-Columbian Peruvian Burnished Black Pot with Frogs
11th century A.D.Estimate: £200 - 300 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £100
Squat in profile with trumpet-shaped mouth, lateral pierced lugs each formed as the head and foreparts of a frog modelled in the half-round. 605 grams, 15 cm high
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex Nicolas Cuppy, UK. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman. -
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
Mexico, Protoclassic Period, circa 100 B.C.-250 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Red ware, hollow-formed and modelled in the round, seated figure with horn to the brow and pierced ears, incised decoration to the midriff, pouring spout to rear of head. 1.9 kg, 36.5 cm
with Bonhams, London, 24 May 2016, lot 21. Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, gentleman.
Holding a throwing stone in one hand and facing an unseen danger to his left as was tradition. This seated figure can be identified as a tomb guardian with the horn on his head marking him as a shaman or with magical powers. His purpose was to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The Colima culture produced the greatest variety of sculpture across ancient West Mexico. -
Pre-Columbian Chimu Terracotta Anthropomorphic Vessel
Circa 800 B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £78
Fusiform in profile with flared rim, lateral strap handles, applied facial details. 155 grams, 12.3 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
