A Paracas Bridge Spout Vessel...

Description

A Paracas Bridge Spout Vessel
Peru, c. 700-100 BC

A hollow blackware vessel with an incised and painted shamanic shape-shifter with fully modeled head at end of a feline/serpent body, the head raised perpendicular to the sides of the vessel and the face gazing out from a tight hood with feline ears Or it can be read as a shaman wearing a jaguar skin with the legs and paws flopped out to the side and a long tail ending in an abstract human face. The figure is outlined with incised lines and painted in red-brown pigmented resin. In any case, a supernatural figure. In very good, intact condition aside from a small chip to rim of one spout. Note: the bottom and the upper three-quarters of the two spouts are not painted with pigmented resin, however the bridge between the spouts does have painted squiggles and dots.

Provenance:
A Private Collection, New York, NY, acquired in 1989
Fine Arts of Ancient Lands, New York, NY

Greatest width: 6 ½ inches

More Information: Blacklight reveals that the spouts and bridge handle are not covered with a pigmented resin paint like the rest of the vessel.

Note: Compares favorably to a Paracas Bridge Spout Vessel currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum, New York, object #63.232.46.


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