Huari Polychrome Vessel - Harpy Eagle Heads
Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Wari/Huari, Atarco style, ca. 600 to 700 CE. A polychrome terracotta vessel of a cylindrical form, elaborately painted with a pair of Harpy Eagle heads depicted in profile with expressive Ojos Partidos expressing the duality of light with both light and dark sections, a wide open beak, as well as a magnificent headdress featuring a birdhead, a spotted trim perhaps to reference highly symbolic jaguar pelt, from which feather-like plumes radiate. Between the two heads are two vertical registers of chevron motifs flanked by solid bands. All is delineated in a handsome color palette of red, orange, cream, grey, and black. Size: 5.125" in diameter x 3.875" H (13 cm x 9.8 cm)
The Harpy Eagle possessed layers of symbolism in the Pre-Columbian world. This intimidating bird of prey was the largest eagle in the Americas and was admired for its immense agility and power. Harpy Eagle traits were incorporated into several supernatural entities, most well known being the Bird Monster (god III of the Olmec) defined by Joralemon (1976). The jaguar was a symbol of power and kingship throughout the Pre-Columbian world, signifying a fierceness as well as an individuality that the ancients identified with leaders in their society.
Provenance: ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected in 1950 to the 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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#150632
Condition Report: Professionally repaired from multiple pieces with restoration over the break lines. Slight surface wear. Scattered mineral deposits. Collection label on underside.
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Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Wari/Huari, Atarco style, ca. 600 to 700 CE. A polychrome terracotta vessel of a cylindrical form, elaborately painted with a pair of Harpy Eagle heads depicted in profile with expressive Ojos Partidos expressing the duality of light with both light and dark sections, a wide open beak, as well as a magnificent headdress featuring a birdhead, a spotted trim perhaps to reference highly symbolic jaguar pelt, from which feather-like plumes radiate. Between the two heads are two vertical registers of chevron motifs flanked by solid bands. All is delineated in a handsome color palette of red, orange, cream, grey, and black. Size: 5.125" in diameter x 3.875" H (13 cm x 9.8 cm)
The Harpy Eagle possessed layers of symbolism in the Pre-Columbian world. This intimidating bird of prey was the largest eagle in the Americas and was admired for its immense agility and power. Harpy Eagle traits were incorporated into several supernatural entities, most well known being the Bird Monster (god III of the Olmec) defined by Joralemon (1976). The jaguar was a symbol of power and kingship throughout the Pre-Columbian world, signifying a fierceness as well as an individuality that the ancients identified with leaders in their society.
Provenance: ex-private Hans Juergen Westermann collection, Germany, collected in 1950 to the 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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#150632
Condition Report: Professionally repaired from multiple pieces with restoration over the break lines. Slight surface wear. Scattered mineral deposits. Collection label on underside.
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Time, Location
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