Classic Chavin Brownware Stirrup Vessel - House

**Originally Listed At $1800**

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Casa Grande, earliest type of stirrup vessel called "Classic Chavin", ca. 1200 BCE. A very fine example of the early monochrome stirrup vessels found in the mountains and river valleys of Northern Peru with a characteristically large arched spout and stone polished surfaces. This beautiful vessel depicts a quaint thatch-roofed house on a hill - the edifice beautifully modeled with a gabled roof and the land gradually sloped to the cylindrical body below - with meticulously incised surfaces to represent thatch and grass. A wonderful example perhaps used by the indigenous to store fermented corn beer or "chicha". Size: 5.375" in diameter x 8.75" H (13.7 cm x 22.2 cm)

In addition to being iconographically rich, ancient Andean stirrup vessels were also practical. Their narrow openings prevented rapid evaporation of the precious liquid within - a great advantage given the extremely dry deserts of Peru. Note also that the shape of the neck made it easy to carry. Two stirrup vessels could be tied to the ends of a cord and suspended over a llama's back or a person's shoulder.

The Chavin civilization is generally regarded as the Andean mother civilization - oftentimes compared to the Olmec of Mexico. Both the Chavin and the Olmec cultures created the earliest Pre-Columbian visual culture that continued to flourish until European contact in the 16th century.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected from 1950s to 1960s

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

#148340
Condition Report: Repaired from multiple pieces with restoration over the break lines and normal surface wear. Collection label on underside of base.