A rare and expressive Pre-Columbian ceramic vessel from the Recuay culture of ancient Peru, depicting two seated human figures engaged in an intimate embrace. The figures face one another with arms wrapped around each other’s bodies, forming a cohesive sculptural composition integrated into a hollow vessel form with a cylindrical neck opening at the top and a tripod base below.

Both figures exhibit characteristic Recuay facial features, including applied circular eyes, prominent noses, and painted facial panels. Traces of original red and cream mineral-based pigments remain visible throughout the surface. The bodies are robustly modeled, emphasizing physical presence and interaction rather than fine detail, consistent with known Recuay figural traditions.

A particularly rare and significant feature of this vessel is the explicitly modeled genital detail located at the underside of the vessel, clearly visible when viewed from below. While Recuay erotic imagery is documented, the inclusion of such explicit anatomical modeling on a functional vessel is uncommon and adds notable iconographic importance, likely relating to fertility, sexuality, or ritual symbolism.

The vessel is hollow-formed with solid sculptural elements throughout. Surface wear, pigment loss, mineral accretions, and burial encrustations are consistent with age and long-term interment. No modern restoration is observed. 8” in height.

Provenance: Ex. James Wayne, NV., Ex. J. Morrison,’ by descent, NV., Ex. Norman Lane collection, NV.