Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Moche culture, ca. 100 to 700 CE. A lovely hand-built pottery vessel with a flat base, roughly spherical body, an arching stirrup-form handle, and an elongated tubular spout in a red slip. The body, once adorned with a cream slip, now exhibits a buff surface on which a pair of intricate warrior figures are painted in a deep rust-hued pigment. Each figure wears large chest armor, a thigh-length skirt, and a triangular helmet with a row of teeth or spikes on the back, all while carrying a spear in one hand and either a square or circular shield in the other. The faces of each warrior are composed of circular eyes, lengthy slender noses, rounded cheeks and chin, and large earspools. A beautiful and well-constructed vessel from the ancient Moche! Size: 5.25" W x 10.2" H (13.3 cm x 25.9 cm). Warfare and warriors are recurrent themes in Moche art, a strong testimony to the violence of Moche society, which was riven by intense inter-rivalry competition. There was a ritual element to Moche warfare too: prisoners had to be captured to make sacrifices to the gods. This figure seems to be an ordinary warrior rather than a lord, as the latter are usually depicted wearing domed helmets. Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #135761