Vicús Stirrup Vessel Flying Shaman Figure, Peru

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Vicus, ca. 200 BCE – 600 CE. Pre-Columbian, Peru, Vicús culture, ca. 200 BCE to 600 CE. A modeled figure stretches prone across the shoulder of a globular stirrup vessel, chin propped upon one hand. The buff-to-rust earthenware body is decorated in negative-resist geometry, with nested chevrons and stepped frets banding both the chamber and the reclining figure's tunic. A conical cap tops the face, with an aquiline nose and lidded eye. The stirrup spout arches behind the figure, balanced by a projecting tubular element at the opposite side. Effigy vessels of this type are associated with ritual specialists, sometimes described as "flying shamans," and are documented as funerary offerings. The resist-decoration technique, achieved by masking areas of the surface before applying a dark wash, is associated with the northern Peruvian ceramic tradition that precedes later Moche ceramic modeling. Size: 7.5" W x 9.4" H x 5.6" D (19.1 cm W x 23.9 cm H x 14.2 cm D).

Provenance: private Saint Louis, Missouri, USA collection, acquired between 1970 and 1995

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Item #

203923

Condition
Professionally repaired wirth restoration over break lines; all done expertly and difficult to detect. Two probe holes to side, possibly from old repair, and another probe hole to left foot of figure. Otherwise, excellent presentation with good remainingg detail and pigments.

Buyer's Premium
30%