Moche Bichrome Muscovy Duck Vessel

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche Culture, ca. 600 to 800 CE. A mold-made ceramic vessel in the form of a seated Muscovy duck, its body fat, its head tilted downward to touch its chest. A stirrup handle with a squat, slightly flared, cylindrical spout rises from the back of the duck's head and near its perky tail feathers. The duck's wings form a lightly raised heart shape on the back. The caruncle on the base of its upper bill is true to life for this distinctive species. White and red pigment give the duck a colorful, speckled, and striped body, as a sizeable, flared spout with an ovoid rim rises the bird's back. Size: 4.75" L x 3.5" W x 6.375" H (12.1 cm x 8.9 cm x 16.2 cm)

The Moche domesticated the Muscovy duck, and used it for feathers; feathers were a symbol of the elite. The males of the species are frequently aggressive, and this drew the attention of the Moche, making the animal a special symbol for warriors. The Lord of Sipan was buried with ear spools decorated with Muscovy ducks, probably to emphasize his status as a powerful warrior.

Provenance: ex-private Drimmer collection, Florida, USA, before 1965

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#165176
Condition Report: Collection label on base. Repaired from at least 2 pieces with restoration over break lines. Restoration to rim. Some nicks to surface and char marks. Otherwise, very nice.