Moche Pottery Stirrup-Spout Vessel - Blind Man Effigy
Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche, ca. 500–800 CE. A molded pottery stirrup-spout vessel depicting a seated blind man leaning against a rolled blanket, modeled with hollow eyes, an open mouth, one arm drawn across the chest and the other resting at his side. The vessel is painted in cream and red-brown slip and reflects the Moche tradition of depicting the human figure with realism. Effigy vessels of this kind were placed in burials and are a primary source for the study of Moche society. Size: 6.5" W x 7.75" H (16.5 cm W x 19.7 cm H).
The Moche (also Mochica) flourished along the north coast of Peru between roughly 100 and 800 CE, leaving no writing but an extraordinary ceramic record. Their stirrup-spout vessels, so named for the looping tubular handle that resembles a saddle stirrup, were produced in press-molds yet individually finished, allowing both serial output and portrait-like specificity. Depictions of blindness, facial disfigurement, and illness are a recurring and deliberate theme. Scholars have proposed that the blind held a special ritual status, associated in Andean thought with inward or prophetic vision, a sight beyond the ordinary. Vessels of this type were frequently interred as grave offerings, accompanying the dead into the afterlife.
This item is a dropship lot and will ship directly from the consignor's location. All condition, dimension, material, and chemical composition data reflect consignor-supplied information.
Provenance: private South Florida, USA collection, acquired prior to 1969 from Alan C. Lapiner, with copy of appraisal from: Arts of the Four Quarters, Ltd. 111 West 13th Street, NYC, (Alan C. Lapiner owner), dated September 30th, 1969.
This item is a dropship lot and will ship directly from the consignor's location. All condition, dimension, material, and chemical composition data reflect consignor-supplied information.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
204233
Condition
Probe hole in the base, scattered repairs and resurfacing, stable hair line at the base of the blanket roll.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Pre-Columbian, Peru, Moche, ca. 500–800 CE. A molded pottery stirrup-spout vessel depicting a seated blind man leaning against a rolled blanket, modeled with hollow eyes, an open mouth, one arm drawn across the chest and the other resting at his side. The vessel is painted in cream and red-brown slip and reflects the Moche tradition of depicting the human figure with realism. Effigy vessels of this kind were placed in burials and are a primary source for the study of Moche society. Size: 6.5" W x 7.75" H (16.5 cm W x 19.7 cm H).
The Moche (also Mochica) flourished along the north coast of Peru between roughly 100 and 800 CE, leaving no writing but an extraordinary ceramic record. Their stirrup-spout vessels, so named for the looping tubular handle that resembles a saddle stirrup, were produced in press-molds yet individually finished, allowing both serial output and portrait-like specificity. Depictions of blindness, facial disfigurement, and illness are a recurring and deliberate theme. Scholars have proposed that the blind held a special ritual status, associated in Andean thought with inward or prophetic vision, a sight beyond the ordinary. Vessels of this type were frequently interred as grave offerings, accompanying the dead into the afterlife.
This item is a dropship lot and will ship directly from the consignor's location. All condition, dimension, material, and chemical composition data reflect consignor-supplied information.
Provenance: private South Florida, USA collection, acquired prior to 1969 from Alan C. Lapiner, with copy of appraisal from: Arts of the Four Quarters, Ltd. 111 West 13th Street, NYC, (Alan C. Lapiner owner), dated September 30th, 1969.
This item is a dropship lot and will ship directly from the consignor's location. All condition, dimension, material, and chemical composition data reflect consignor-supplied information.
SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700.
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.
Item #
204233
Condition
Probe hole in the base, scattered repairs and resurfacing, stable hair line at the base of the blanket roll.
Buyer's Premium
30%
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
