South American Chancay Terracotta Figure with Pitcher

Large carved hardstone model of a crouching figure with elbows resting on the knees and hands supporting the chin; the head modelled as a skull with exposed teeth, drilled eye-sockets and triangular nasal cavity; mounted on a custom-made display stand. 6 kg total, 34.3 cm high including stand



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.

The population of the Taino people of the Dominican Republic and surrounding Caribbean islands may have been as high as 2 million by the 15th century. The Zemi, a spiritual figure forms a major part of their existing legacy and examples exist in many sizes including depictions in wood and stone.

Hand-modelled Chancay(?) figure of a standing female with left hand on her hip and right hand raised to support the pitcher; pinched facial detailing and tall tongue-shaped headdress with lateral flaps; pointillé detailing for the eyes and breasts, incised lines to the collar and groin, exaggerated feet; top of the head supporting a pitcher. 129 grams, 17 cm



Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection.

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.