Pre-Columbian, Moche IV, North Coast Peru, ca. 400 to 500 CE. A lovely bichrome Moche pottery stirrup vessel, painted in hues of red and cream. The dark chest plumage indicates that this bird is not a juvenile but rather a mature duck. The cream-hued dots painted on its beak as well as the semi-circular lines highlighting its eyes and the cream colored crest and feet were likely abstract interpretations of naturalistic details. Size: 9"H x 5-1/2"W.

Note: a similar example is published in The Spirit of Ancient Peru: Treasures from the Museo Arqueologico Rafael Larco Herrera (New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997, p. 107).

In ancient Peru, Muscovy ducks were admired for their adept skills, their wide wingspan, and their graceful flight; not to mention their ability to fly low just above the water to scoop a heap of fish in their large beaks and then drain the water though their bill which acts as a sieve.

Provenance: Ex-private Haig, New York.

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#101398

Intact and excellent. Minor surface wear. Tiny nick above left foot.