Pre-Columbian Lambayeque Blackware CeramicMasked Lord Vessel
Circa 8th-12th century A.D. Squat-bodied with splayed foot, neck base formed as an ornate human mask, strap handle to reverse, tapering cylindrical neck. Cf. The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum, 'Chimu Blackware Spouted-Vessel; Unknown, Pre-Columbianca. 700 CE - 1200 CE', for a similar vessel; see Pimentel, V., Peru, Kingdoms of the Sun and the Moon, 5 Continents, Milan, 2012, p.96, for a very similar example, see pp.98-99, for an exceptional example of a gold funerary mask. 1.09 kg, 30 cm high (1 3/4 in.).

Ex Alan Cherry, Bournemouth, UK. Acquired in the 1990s. From a Norfolk, UK, private collection. This interesting vessel likely depicts a high ranking individual with markers of status including long earrings and elaborate necklace. The detailed mask on the face of the vessel is representative of the well known and exceptional metal masks reserved for the elite. Metals used for these masks include gold and rank amongst the most striking of ancient Peruvian art.