Moche Bichrome Spouted Vessel - Frog / Toad

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, ca. 500 to 800 CE. An attractive bi-chrome terracotta amphibian effigy vessel depicting an endearing sitting toad or frog with a large conical spout emerging from his back - all skillfully embellished with low to high relief details and finished as redware highlighted with added white pigment. This lively fellow presents an expressive visage featuring a wide alluring smile, bulging eyes, and a large raised nose with three objects - probably hallucinogenic pods - hanging from each side of his neck. In the Pre-Columbian world, frogs and toads were viewed as harbingers of the spring season, and the Moche were known to use frog/toads to extract strong hallucinogenic substances. Size: 7" W x 7.375" H (17.8 cm x 18.7 cm)

Provenance: private Lewis collection, Florida, USA, acquired at Arte Primitivo, New York, New York, USA

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.

#150653
Condition Report: Intact and excellent with ample surface deposits that have developed over the ages.