Auction Date:2012 Nov 16 @ 10:00 (UTC-06:00 : CST/MDT)
Location:P.O. Box 714, Erie, Colorado, 80516, United States
This is a very remarkable and rather macabre vessel from Peru. It dates to the Moche IV phase, circa 500 CE. The unusual scene depicts two skeletal figures. The larger one rests his left hand on the head of the smaller figure (a child?). Both individuals are painted white, and care was taken to add small details, such as the incised ribs, hollow eyes and fingers. The figures are shown squatting on top of an orange coloured terracotta vessel which is footed and has a globular shape. There is a phase IV stirrup spout at the back. Two old inventory numbers are written on the bottom, reading DMM 67 and 71.93.
Background information: Although relatively rare, depictions of skeletal individuals can sometimes be found on Moche ceramics. It has been suggested that they symbolise the spiritual complementarity between life and death. Moche religion knew a transitory stage between life and death, of which transitional beings such as the animated deceased were manifestations. In art these can be seen engaged in sexual activities, embracing, making music and dancing and other scenes. Possibly the combination of a skeletal adult and a child illustrates death as a necessary stage for the renewal of life.
Parallels: For a differently shaped vessel with a similar scene in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (showing two adult skeletons and a child) see "Bottle, Skeletal Couple with Child [Peru, Moche] (1978.412.196)", in Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2009, revised April 2010).
Literature: For the theme of skeletons in Moche art in general see Steve Bourget, Sex, Death, and Sacrifice in Moche Religion and Visual Culture (University of Texas Press, 2006).
Height ca. 22.8 cm. In excellent condition; a few miniscule chips to the footed base and the stirrup spout; some surface wear and scratches; a small spot of what is probably spilt (ancient?) paint halfway on the spout; the larger figure has a small round opening on his left cheek and shows some minor paint flaking.
Auction Location:
P.O. Box 714, Erie, Colorado, 80516, United States
Previewing Details:
From the time the auction catalogue is published online until items are auctioned.
Appropriate Colorado Sales Tax will be added to all invoices, unless a valid CO seller's permit is on file with Artemis Gallery/Antiquities-Saleroom prior to any bidding in the auction. Items shipped outside of CO (United States or international) are also sales tax exempt.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| CO |
2.9% |
Colorado State Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
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The following are the TERMS OF SALE for bidding in Live Auction, Friday, November 16th, 2012.
AUCTION will start at 10 a.m. MT, noon EST, 9 a.m. PST - Bid Live or Leave Absentee Bids.
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