Peru, Chimú Culture, Ad 1400--1521, Glazed Ceramic Cephalomorphic Stirrup Vase

Origin: Peru
Culture: Chimú
Period: 1400 - 1521 AD
Dimensions: 25 x 12.3 cm
Condition: Very good condition
Provenance: From a set from a private collection

Rare stirrup vase in black glazed ceramic with a belly modeled on the face of an old man. smooth cap, placed on the skull revealing quadrangular ears on each side. The forehead as well as the cheeks and the corners of the eyes are traversed by furrows evoking wrinkles. The lenticular eyes are set in deep sockets framing a small aquiline nose, the latter overhanging a small, half-open mouth. A small bird is present on the stirrup handle, beak turned towards the neck while an iguana sits nonchalantly on the top of the skull.