A Huari Ceremonial Cup...

Description

A Huari Ceremonial Cup
Peru, Middle Horizon, c. 600-900 AD

A magnificent, large example of Huari (alt. Wari) mosaic inlay work. Various cut shell and stone pieces in triangles, Inca crosses, flanges, rectangles, and step designs inlaid into wood permeated with resin. On a kind of stool or throne kneels the main figure wearing an apron and back flap, and he has an unusual projecting vertebrae, he holds a trophy head to his front. From his wide round headdress rises a funnel-shaped shell cup with four vertical bands of colorful shell and stone inlay. In very good condition, one rectangle of shell inlay missing from bottom section, minor chips to the wood.

Provenance:
A Private Collection, New York, NY, acquired in 1990
Merrin Gallery, New York, NY
This was examined and further provenance given by the late Robert Sonin (1926-2011), a renowned expert on Pre-Columbian art from South and Central America.
Mr. Pastillnik (from Robert Sonin's remarks)

Height: 9 ¾ inches

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