Selected Treasures From The Ancient Andes
EX SOTHEBY'S AND ARTE PRIMITIVO 9956. PEDIGREED LARGE MOCHE FIGURE OF AI-APEC. Peru, ca. 500-700 AD. The figure is that of Ai-Apec, the fanged warrior god, who holds a tumi knife in one hand and a severed head in the other. 10.5 x 14.3 x 7.5 inches. Intact, the lower part of the reverse surface somewhat abraded but intact and strong. Such large vessels are quite rare for Moche pieces. Provenance: Won by the current owner at an Arte Primitivo auction in the 1990's. Previously in the Allan Caplan collection, ex. Sotheby's with an old Sotheby's tag on the bottom.
$6,500.
9957. FINE MOCHE STIRRUP VESSEL WITH DRUNKEN RIDER, Phase IV to V, Ca. 600 AD. Whimsical molded and painted stirrup vessel in the form of a rider facing the wrong way on his llama. Since these vessels contained a strong distilled corn-beer, the message is that if you drink too much, you could end up like this fellow! 9-1/4"H. Riders nose professionally restored. Rare and classic type. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from a major New York City antiquities dealer in the 1990's.
PUBLISHED IN A SCIENTIFIC MONOGRAPH 9215. PUBLISHED MOCHE FIGURAL VESSEL CARRYING A STAG. Peru, ca. 500 BC/AD. The burnished red vessel in the form of a squatting figure wearing a death mask with pursed lips and holding a male deer, the penis and testicles of the deer clearly visible, it's tongue hanging out of its mouth. 5 x 7 x 9.5 inches. A wonderfully executed piece in completely intact condition.
This piece is the subject of a monograph entitled "The Whistler: A Moche Vessel" by Clifford C. Richey, December 2011.
9216. CLASSIC MOCHE ANTHROPOMORPHIC VESSEL. Peru, ca. 500 BC/AD. The burnished red vessel in the form of a high status male seated with a bag (perhaps a seed bag or magical charm container) over his shoulder with his hands on his knees. 4.75 x 6.5 inches. The spout cleanly broken away in the back. Still a very nice piece.
9217. CHARMING MOCHE ZOOMORPHIC VESSEL IN THE FORM OF A COATI. Peru, ca. 500 BC/AD. The burnished dark gray vessel in the form of a coati reclining on its side rubbing its snout. 2.25 x 4 x 6.5 inches. A charming piece which expertly captures the nature of the coati. Intact, very fine example. A very early example probably with Chorrera influence.
8368. BEAUTIFULLY GLAZED MOCHE FIGURAL JUG, c. 500-700. In two connected parts; a beaker and an enclosed pitcher with pouring spout in the form of a sea lion. 6.3 x 7.5". The beaker with professional repair. Museum #. Exceptionally beautiful rich red burnished surface. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least June 21, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9958. MOCHE FIGURAL STIRRUP VESSEL, ca. 500 to 700 AD. Squarish body with seated figure atop wearing four cornered hat and large ear spools. Stirrup nicely decorated in red and tan patterns with rabbit-like creatures painted on side of vessel. 7-1/2"H. Condition: Excellent. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an Indiana estate in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least June 8, 2001 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9188. EXPRESSIVE MOCHE ANTHROPOMORPHIC VESSEL. Peru, ca. 200-700 AD. In the form of a figure seated on a stool gazing into the distance with left hand shading the eyes, his open mouth functioning as a spout. The vessel with burnished red and cream surface, stirrup spout at rear. 4.5 x 6 x 8 inches. Choice condition. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least May 12, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9189. CLASSIC MOCHE STIRRUP-SPOUT VESSEL. Peru, ca. 450-700 AD. The burnished black ware vessel in the form of a seated dignitary wearing high round cap with long lappets and sea lion protome, a small monkey holding on to the rear of the spout. 4.5 x 7 x 8.5 inches. Fine example. Excellent condition. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least February 27, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9190. FINE MOCHE STIRRUP-SPOUT DRUMMER VESSEL. Peru, ca. 450-700 AD. The burnished black ware vessel in the form of a squatting drummer wearing a flayed human skin over his face. 4 x 5 x 8 inches. See 'Museums of the Andes' p. 47 for a very similar vessel in the Amano Museum, Lima. Rare and desirable. Excellent condition. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least May 12, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9192. APPEALING MOCHE SEA-LION VESSEL. Peru, ca. 200-700 AD. Seated female sea lion holding two pups. The vessel with burnished red surface with white details, stirrup spout at rear. 4.5 x 6 x 6 inches. A charming piece. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least June 21, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
9193. MOCHE KERO IN THE FORM OF AN ARM. Peru, ca. 450-700 AD. The drinking cup in the form of a well modeled arm wearing a wrist guard and holding an uncertain object. 6.75 inches. Repair at wrist but still a fine example. Provenance: Purchased by the present owner from an established US antiquities dealer in the 1990's. Independently documented 3rd party proof this piece has been in the US since at least February 28, 2002 is available. This is several years prior to the effective date of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that restricts subsequent imports into the US.
