A well provenanced, ancient negative Vicús Earthenware effigy beaker, dating to approximately 400 -100 B.C. reputedly excavated from the cemeteries near Cerro Vicús in the Piura River Valley.
A stirrup spout bottle in the form of a seated warrior. The warrior with typical Vicús features; large hooked nose, slit mouth and almond shaped eyes. He is shown with conical helmet, cylindrical ear spools and cloak. He clutches his hands to his chest and stares mesmerizingly at the viewer. A circular stirrup with spout is modeled onto the figures back, the spout turned at the top in a similar fashion to early Moche I and II spouts.
The ancient Vicús culture, located on the Northern coast of Peru, existed from 400 B.C. through to 100 A.D. Ancient Peruvians left no written records, thus their material remains are the only existing link to this long gone and intriguing ancient people.
This enchanting piece was once part of the Arthur M Sackler collection, during which time, it was given a full page illustrated entry, along with description, in the Art of The Andes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. p 133. The piece is also mentioned on p 27 as "Typical of the type with the effigy figure superimposed on the surface."
Height: 8 inches.
Diameter: 5 1/2 inches.
Condition: Excellent condition; minor restorations. Old collection data on base and old inventory tag attached.
Provenance:
Ex. collection of Arthur M Sackler, 1913-1987. Sackler was one of the pre-eminent collectors of the 20th Century, as well as being a major philanthropist and patron of the arts.
His world renowned collection was rich in Far Eastern, Byzantine, Greek, Egyptian and Near Eastern art and antiquities, small portions of which have been sold over the past 10 years. Sackler established a plethora of institutions which bear his name, including the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Science, the Sackler School of Medicine, the Arthur M. Sackler Science Center and, of course, the Arthur M. Sackler Museum.
A rare opportunity to acquire an artefact from one of the key art collections of the 20th century.
Published:
Full page illustration and description in, Art of The Andes from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. p 133. A copy of which can be provided to the new owner upon request.
