**Originally Listed At $700**

Pre-Columbian, Peru, Nazca culture, ca. 100 BCE to 800 CE. A large, deep bowl with a dark red interior and an exterior ringed with bright and intricate iconography. Repeated feline-headed deities accompanied by anthropomorphic snakes form the design; they cover not just the sides but also part of the pointed base, whose shape indicates that it was made to be placed in sand, rather than on a flat surface - this bowl was made for the grave. Size: 9.05" W x 4.5" H (23 cm x 11.4 cm)

Most of what we know about the Nazca comes from cemeteries, which are much more impressive than the remains of their buildings. Although there is no surface evidence for burials on the sandy plain, once a grave has been excavated, it reveals a wealth of grave goods, many of which are vessels like this, presumably placed as symbolic offerings.

Provenance: Ex-Private New York Collection, ex-Poway, CA private collection

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#119547

Repaired, but well done and difficult to see; bright painted decorations overall.