Pre-Columbian, South Coast Peru, Chavin, ca. 600 to 500 BCE. Of a grand scale, a very impressive, hand-built and finely modeled vessel depicting two expressive visages - representing either a double trophy head or possibly the Oculate Being which scholars suggest may have been an agricultural fertility-cult deity - with near identical features: incised almond-shaped eyes with bulging black irises and red cinnabar rubbed into the incised outlines, arched brows in relief, a petite upturned nose, an open mouth with lips in relief and pigmented red revealing applied 'teeth', the face framed by a simple hairline (also in relief with remains of red pigment), and wearing earspools on the jutting ears. The complexions of each face were scored with a hand tool to create a matte finish that was embellished with red cinnabar - this making for an aesthetically alluring contrast with the lustrous, burnished blackware, rounded walls and cylindrical neck below. Size: 9.75" in diameter x 7.625" H (24.8 cm x 19.4 cm) Provenance: private Maui, Hawaii, USA collection All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #125914