PRECOLUMBIAN ART : INCLUDING A SELECTION OF ... - Lempertz

*26
EARLY MOCHICA LLAMA VESSEL
Ca. 300-100 B. C.
The prone camelid, resting or overburdened with goods, with alert
expression, perked ears and large rimmed eyes, a braided cord runs
from the left ear down to the haunch, an incised saddle bag holds
large, sealed urns on either side, the body decorated with irregular
swatches of color perhaps to indicate markings identifying the owner
of the animal, the folded legs fi nely incised on the base, painted
in cream and reddish brown.
Height 18 cm
Literature
Istvan Racz, Perun Taide, Helsinki, 1975, pl. 20
Hans-Dietrich Disselhoff , Leben im alten Peru, Munich, 1966, pl. 98
Cf. Lapiner, pl. 271
Llamas were not only among the few domesticated animals in the
Americas but the only pack animals. When loaded they can carry
up to 100 pounds. The amount they carry depends on the length of
the trip. When overloaded, llamas will simply sit and not rise till the
cargo is lightened.
€ 2 200 – 3 200