VASE-PORTRAITCULTURE MOCHE200-700 AP. J.-C. |

Marché de l’art, États-Unis
Christie's Paris, 8 décembre 2004, n° 317
Importante Collection privée française

Lavalle (J. A. de), Trujillo Precolombino, 1990, p. 90

Excellent condition overall. Little losses of material on the neck base, on the proper right ear and on the top of the head. Minor repair on the stirrup-spout at the neck join to the spout.Very good preservation of the painting.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les vases-portraits Moche des III^e-V^e siècles font figure d'exception dans le corpus des céramiques précolombiennes, par l'individualisation des sujets portraiturés qui fut savamment étudiée par Christopher Donnan (University of California, Los Angeles). Dans les phases III et IV de l’éclosion Moche, les représentations d’êtres mythiques et surnaturels ont évolué vers une céramique naturaliste à l’effigie de hauts dignitaires. Ce vase à anse-étrier souligne la force et la vitalité juvénile du personnage richement paré, représenté lèvres pincées, narines dilatées, joues scarifiées. Il est coiffé d’un turban maintenu par un serre-tête à motifs géométriques, agrémenté d’un – rare - élément floral projeté en haut relief. Ces parures sont caractéristiques de l’art Moche, chaque style de coiffe permettant d'identifier le statut social de l'individu représenté. Pour des vases-portraits étroitement apparentés, voir Donnan, Moche Portraits from Ancient Peru, 2004, p. 64, fig. 4.39.   Moche portrait vessels of the 3rd-5th C. are unique among Pre-Columbian ceramics for the individuals portrayed by their specific traits, carefully studied and annotated by Christopher Donnan at the University of California, Los Angeles. In Phase III and IV of the Moche florescence, there was a shift from depicting mythical and supernatural beings to the naturalistic ceramics featuring mature high-status individuals. This stirrup-spout vessel portrays the strength and youthful vitality of this well-adorned dignitary. With pursed lips, expanded nostrils and scarified cheeks, he wears a Type B head cloth secured by an additional narrow textile band of geometric and figural design. The head cloth style is a distinctive component of the Moche portrait corpus, with specific styles of head gear often connected to different social roles. The addition of the large tassel attached to his head band is a rare decorative accoutrement. For other Moche portrait head vessels with a similar tassel, see Donnan, Moche Portraits from Ancient Peru, 2004, p. 64, fig. 4.39.