Important Pre-Columbian Huari/Wari stone inlay jaguar
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- $65,000.00
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An important inlaid stone stopper
Huari/Wari Culture
Central coast, Peru
CE 700-1100
2.75”H (6.8 cm)
Estate of Darryl Harmon, Mcallen, Texas.
Steatite with white shell, purple mussel shell, spondylus shell, mother of pearl, jet, turquoise, carnelian, greenstone, and gold foil treatment set into a brown pitch-like matrix
Condition: Very fine with some losses to the inlaid elements, particularly the claws of the feline’s proper left hand and one petaloid form on the feline’s right shoulder area. Otherwise, intact and with an ancient, well-handled patina, overall
This masterfully carved object is in the form of a ferocious, crouching, spotted feline displaying a human trophy head between its front paws. Its toothy mouth is shown in a snarl, upper lip pulled back with whiskers represented on each side of the nose, and with prominent upper and lower red fangs. The human trophy head is shown with a patterned headband, and with eyes wide open with red tear paths streaming down. The use of red spondylus shell for both the fangs and tear paths suggests a bloody confrontation. This imagery is symbolic of a warring, head-hunting culture, which perfectly describes the Wari. The feline likely representing the lineage and/or animal alter ego of a prominent warrior holding his prize: a human trophy head. This, in turn, is symbolic of the captured and defeated, potent spirit and latent energy of a rival enemy or clan. The tripartite markings on the body of the feline suggest clouds or floral blossoms, and, at once, the starry nighttime sky, all symbolic, visual metaphors associated with the cycle of life. The crouching feline has a large curled tail at its back, and just below it, a pair of testicles is indicated by round red inlays. Their inclusion on the feline’s anatomy makes reference to its masculinity and to the regenerative connotations of trophy head taking. This is an important example of a royal, bejeweled stopper which was once possibly fitted atop a perishable wooden container used to hold ash or lime powder added to a coca quid to release full potency of the leaves. Such extravagant containers, known as poporo, were ritually used and always showed the prominent iconography of the period.
The piece will come with a scientific report from CIRAM labs in France.
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