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Detailed Moche Fine-Line Ceramic with Paddler Deity browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Americas:Pre Columbian:Pottery: Pre AD 1000: item # 1043832
Apolonia Ancient Art 290 Fillmore St. #D Denver, CO. 80206 303-321-7351 gallery Guest Book $7685.00 |
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| This exceptional ceramic is a Moche "fine-line" stirrup type vessel that is classified as being Period V, circa 500-700 A.D. Moche ceramics from this period are extremely detailed, as they represent the final phase and high point of Moche artistic style and iconography. This detailed red line design over a cream colored background piece is approximately 8.7 inches high by 5.2 inches in diameter. This piece is also intact, and is in mint to superb condition, save for an old minor chip repair on the base ring and a minor scratch mark seen on Side B. This piece has minute spotty black dendrite deposits and root marking that can be seen over the entire piece, and some sectional minute spotty glaze loss, which is normally the case for authentic pieces of this type. In addition, there is some slight light brown burnishing seen on Side B which makes the fine-line design dark brown, rather than light red as seen on Side A, and this effect is subtle, and is an important feature that also points to the authenticity of the vessel. The light brown burnishing may have also been an intentional effect, rather than a result of some minor temperature misfiring within the kiln. This piece was also made as a "votive" type piece, and there are two scenes seen on the vessel, one on Side A, and the other on Side B. Side A has a deity facing right, who is seen wearing a regal headdress, ear spools, ceremonial back flap, and is holding a stick with decorative elements seen at both ends. This stick has been referred to as a "paddle" by many academics, as the deity is also seen in the center of a Moche reed boat that has serpent heads at each end. In fact, the stick may simply be a "power" type symbol, and there is much debate as to exactly what this symbol is meant to convey and/or represent. This "paddle" also does not have any decorative elements seen within its rectangular shape, and this blank design stands out in contrast against the balance of the highly decorative and detailed scene. This artistic effect can only be the end product of a highly skilled artist and/or workshop. This piece also has an analogous scene design seen on Side B, but the seated deity seen on Side B is not holding a "paddle", and probably represents a different deity that is portrayed on Side A. The deity depicted on Side A also appears to be floating in space with both legs seen hanging down, as opposed to the deity depicted on Side B, who is seen seated firmly on the flat platform of the reed boat. This artistic design and symbolism is discussed by C. Donnan and D. McClelland in "Moche Fineline Painting: Its Evolution and Its Artists", UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, University of California Los Angeles Press, 1999. The piece offered here is also analogous to the "Large Lip Painter", as discussed in the above reference, and the vessel offered here may be by this artist and/or is from his workshop. The examples seen in Figures 6.155-56, from the reference as noted above, have analogous design features as the piece offered here, including almond eyes, serpent head reed boats with a single dot eye, double floor tier boat platforms, and a wavy and curled tongue that is seen extended from each deity. There are also analogous designed weapon bundles seen on the stirrup spouts as well. The exceptional piece offered here is scarce in this condition, has a high degree of art that covers most of the surface of the vessel, and is an exceptional example for the type. This piece is also much better than most fine-line examples seen on the market. Ex: Andrea Sarmiento collection, Miami, FL., circa 1960's. Ex: Erika Roman collection, Santa Cruz, CA., circa 1980's. Ex: Private FL. collection. I certify that this piece is authentic as to date, culture, and condition: | |||||||||||||||
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