**Originally Listed At $350**

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche, Phase IV, ca. 500 to 650 CE. A fabulous stirrup vessel in the shape of a cluster of pepino melons! Two rest atop a larger pepino with the stirrup handle and spout protruding from the top. The upper pepinos are slip painted in beige while the lower fruit is slip painted in orange with traces of black pigments. Pepinos are native to the Andean regions of Peru that is described as a sweet cucumber but looks like a small melon. Pepinos were cultivated by the Moche and were a popular motif in their visual arts! Size: 7.5" L x 9" H (19 cm x 22.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Ashland University Museum, Ashland, Ohio, USA, donated to Ashland University between July 1994 to December 1998

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#166338

Professionally restored with infill to the tip of largest pepino. Surface abrasions and chipping of pigments. Small nicks to rim of spout. Rare form!