Pre-Columbian, north coast Peru, Chavin, late Cupisnique, ca. 500 to 300 BCE. An exquisite, hand-built pottery vessel featuring a spherical body with a flat base, highly burnished surfaces, and a stirrup-shaped handle. Incised onto the front of the brownware vessel is a trio of highly abstract, curvilinear jaguar heads that face towards the left with circular ears, trapezoidal eyes, and curving fangs. Each head is attached to an arched, serpentine body that creates an intriguing image of perhaps a jaguar-headed hydra. Size: 7.1" Diameter x 9.2" H (18 cm x 23.4 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired September 20, 2007; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private New Mexico, USA collection, acquired from a major Santa Fe, New Mexico gallery

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#164237

Repaired from a few large pieces with nearly invisible restoration, resurfacing, and overpainting along new material and break lines. Very light abrasions to body and handle. Great preservation to incised jaguar imagery. TL drill holes beneath base and inside top of spout.