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

*32
EARLY MOCHICA FELINE VESSEL
Ca. 300-100 B. C.
The snarling male puma seated with his weight
placed on the fl attened feet, incised tail wrapping
around the right rear leg, large ears perked, fangs
bared and covered overall in lustrous black slip.
Height 20 cm
Cf. Stierlin, pl. 59
Wild felines held a special place in the mythology
of ancient America. The felines special night
vision combined with their prowess as hunters
were often likened to the power of the shamans
who would incorporate feline elements into their
costumes or paraphernalia.
€ 1 500 – 2 500
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*33
MIDDLE MOCHICA DEER VESSEL
Ca. A. D. 200-500
The realistically rendered Cervidae with lips
closed, globular eyes and large ears swept to the
back, the pelage indicated with striations perhaps
an indication that a fawn is represented, painted
in reddish brown and cream.
Height 25.5 cm
Provenance
Bernoulli Collection, Basel, 1949
Literature
Cologne, Schätze aus Peru von Chavin bis zu den
Inka, Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum, June 20-
September, 6, 1959, no, 587, not illustrated
Istvan Racz, Perun Taide, Helsinki, 1975, pl. 23
Cf. Donnan, fi g. 85
Deer were not only an important food source but
held a role in many of the Creation myths all over
the Americas.
€ 2 500 – 4 500
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