Chancay Figural Vessel of a Hunter, Central Coast ca. A.D. 1300-1500

the voluminous form modeled as a hunter holding his trophy deer across his shoulders, the small antlered head leaning out on the left side and long bound limbs extended along the front and firmly grasped,  the hunter with striped tattoos on the cheeks, wearing tunic with stepped fringe hem, single disc earring and a large disc secured on the headbands around the turban. 

Texas private collection, acquired in the mid 1970's
Sotheby's, New York, May 14, 1991, lot 12, consigned by the above

Houston, Museum of Fine Arts, 1983-1987

Overall very good condition; repairs include: neck of the deer broken and reattached, proper left antler broken and reattached, small section of tips of antlers filled in; stabilized crack encircling half of the lower portion of the vessel.
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.

Various species of the Cervidae family live in the coastal and mountain regions of Peru. Artists in the earlier Moche era depict deer hunts in great detail on fineline ceramics. The Spanish recounted the tremendous number of deer and wildlife captured in ceremonial Inca hunts (Moraga 2005:67). This voluminous Central Coast vessel shows an elite hunter who conveys a tender respect for his young buck trophy.