Published Zoomorphic Double-Handled Vase of the Chancay Culture

Culture: Peru/Chancay Culture

Period: 1300-1450 A.D.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 11.4 cm high

Price: 1 400 Euro

Ref: 11005

Provenance: Austrian private collection Prof. Josef Mairitsch (1938-1994) with the inventory number M 141. Acquired between 1960 and the early 1980s. Thence in the family estate. With a copy of the catalogue page.

Condition: Intact

Description: Very detailed terracotta vase of the Peruvian Chancay culture with a zoomorphic handle and appliques. The oval vessel formed by hand stands on a flat base. The body runs straight upwards, has a kink on the shoulder and merges into an outwards curved neck. The spout above is pulled outwards and funnel shaped. Striking are the zoomorphically modelled handles. One in form of a stork head facing downwards and snapping at a sculpturally applied plaice. Its wings and tail are painted on the neck in dark colours. On the second handle sits a small bird with oversized legs, looking around in a slanted posture with large, round eyes. The body is also painted in black-brown dark colour. In the upper part of the body two rectangular fields are left out, in which dots and wavy lines are painted on one side and a hatched pattern with zoomorphic figures on the other. Published in: Josef Mairitsch “Columbus am Wörthersee. Amerika vor Columbus.” Catalogue for the special exhibition of the cultural department of the state capital Klagenfurt from 1 June to 31 October 1992, p. 103, no. 18.06.