Important Wari Figural scene of a Dignitary, South Coast region, Middle Horizon, ca. A.D. 600-1000

the ruler seated in a rectangular litter carried by four attendants, all perched on the domed surface, the dignitary's prominent head with confident expression, with distinctive symmetrical facial tattoos spirally down the checks and around the eyes, wearing a long striped tunic with this beaded strips hanging front and side, his hands with fingers clenched, the attendants each with similar facial designs and wearing thin loincloths, the domed ground with floral medallions at each cardinal direction, and the edge of the base with a chevron design. 

Christoph Bernoulli, acquired by 1949

Acquired from the above by 1960

J.C. Tello, Revista Chaski, vol. 1, No. 1, 1940, pgs. 68, 69, fig. 25 and fig. 26, illustrated as drawings

Ferdinand Anton, Alt-Peru und Seine Kunst, E.A. Seemann, Leipzig, 1962, colorplate 127

Ferdinand Anton, The Art of Ancient Peru, Thames and Hudson, 1972, (originally published as Alt-Peru und Seine Kunst, E.A. Seemann, Leipzig, 1962 and 1972), pl. 176

Hans Dietrich Disselhoff, Leben im alten Peru, Munich, 1966, pg. 153, illus.;  also published as Alltag im Alten Peru, Munich, 1966, pg. 89

Alan Lapiner, Pre-Columbian Art of South America, New York, 1976, fig. 570

Overall excellent, has basic break and repair on the rim of the head, clean break and repair on neck of dignitary, some loss of paint towards bottom of dignitary's tunic, and on parts of chevron band on the domed base.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This masterfully constructed vessel is a rare depiction of a ruler in transport. The delicate flaring base supports the domed 'landscape'  or puna, on which the attendants are carefully positioned. The dignitary's hollow body serves as a continuation of the spout beneath, alluding to his central, pivotal status. The vessel shows the Nasca influence of polychrome slip painting with black outlining of key design areas.