Pre-Columbian, Central Coast Peru, Chancay, ca. 1000 to 1200 CE. A charming but anxious looking llama or alpaca effigy vessel with a rotund, hollow body and a circular vent hole in the center of the animal's back. Cloven feet support the body, and a nubbin tail projects from the posterior. The surface is slip painted in a buff cream slip then detailed with linear and circular patterns in a dark brown hue. The upturned head has alert perked ears, wide applied eyes, and gaping mouth as if the animal is bleating - which is often sounds like a human scream! This excessively fat animal symbolizes abundance and fertility, or even an animal to be sacrificed as an offering or food- hence the fearful expression! This llama could be an effigy that would accompany the deceased into the afterlife; a well-nourished creature that could provide companionship and warmth. Size: 13" L x 6.5" W x 8" H (33 cm x 16.5 cm x 20.3 cm)

Inside this vessel is a handwritten paper receipt: "Sold to Klaus Werner 1 Ceremonial Chancai (Peru) bull and 1 small ornamental Chancai god figure $55. John Gerassi 373 Green Str S.F., Ca." The pottery bull referred to is probably this llama figure, and the seller might be John Gerassi (1931 to 2012), a US and French professor and author of several Latin American books.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-Clars Action Gallery, Oakland, California, USA, June 15th, 2019, Lot# 7039

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#170729

Front leg reattached with visible break line and adhesive residue. Stable surface fissures around tail and other legs and neck. Some chipping and fading to pigments, but otherwise very good. Very expressive face!