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Chavin Ceramic Stirrup-spout Vessel

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:1,125.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Chavin Ceramic Stirrup-spout Vessel
<B>Stirrup-spout Vessel</B></I><BR>Chavín, Tembladera<BR>1000 - 600 B.C.<BR>Burnished ceramic<BR>Height 8 7/8 in. Width 6 1/2 in.<BR><BR>This unusual vessel in two tones of burnished orange-red slips shows a seated figure whose head is overshadowed by a monstrous mask intended to be viewed from above. The head, lower legs, and feet of the figure are developed three-dimensionally, while the greatly exaggerated arms and hands are incised into the globular body of the vessel. Evenly-spaced white slip spots outline arms and hands and form a necklace. A similar spotted band lies along the legs and just above the lower edge of the vessel. The figure's face is as much simian as human, with small round eyes and snub nose. The mask that forms the hat-like headdress has a fully three-dimensional human nose, incised square eyes, and incised rectangular mouth with interlocking fangs. An artful distribution of slip colors enhances the definition of different shapes throughout. The condition is good with some repair of cracks.<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Butterfields, San Francisco: sale 7305A, 25 March 2002, lot 5099, p.29<BR>David Bernstein, New York<BR><BR>