Pair of Sicán Gold Beakers of Frogs ca. A.D. 900-1100

each of wide form, and deeply repoussé with eight splayed frogs forming two rows, each with circle patterned backs and feet flexed at the side.

John Wise
Acquired from the above by the present owner's family in 1968

Letter from Junius Bird, American Museum of Natural History, New York, to John Wise, December 27, 1967 concerning four frog cups, which includes the subject cups and lot 12

Overall fine; slight dent on base of one; bottom bases slightly rounded and thus stand in tilted position.
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.

Andean toads and frogs include Bufo spinulosus who live in river beds of the desert valleys and foothills, and the large Bufo marinus, a giant toad of the Pacific Coast, both of which have a distinctive roughly textured knobby skin as shown on these beakers. Frogs' prominent vocal nature and appearance after hibernation were watched as signs of changing weather.Their potent serums were also well known as hallucinogenic tools for ceremonial rites and the highly toxic compounds were used to stun and poison prey. See Moraga (2005: 111, fig. 97) for toad imagery on textiles; also see Jones (1985:cat. no. 73), for gold beakers in the Jan Mitchell Collection with similar frogs.