Precolumbian Female Cuchimilco (Star Gazer) // 800-1200 AD

Pre-Columbian, North Coast Peru, Chancay culture, c. 800 to 1200 AD. A wonderful large ceramic polychrome pottery female Cuchimilco (or star-gazer). The figure is depicted standing, with small perky breasts, exaggerated genitalia, and outstretched arms with painted fingers. Her broad, flat face is dominated by areas of applied red and black pigmentation, possibly indicative of tattooing, with coffee-bean-shaped eyes, semicircular ears, and a large, triangular nose which juts out from between the eyes. The head is squared, with a painted headband comprised of straight and undulating linear motifs. The body exhibits dark-hued tattooing marks similar to those on the face, with striped bands across the legs and solid lines across the waist and thighs. This stunning demonstration of pottery artistry exemplifies the artistic prowess of the Chancay culture. Measures 8.375" H x 5" W. Ex private New York City Collection, previously in the private collection of an Engineering Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy New York, Collected in the 1960s - 1980s.Accompanied by a hand-signed certificate of authenticity which includes all the details, culture, dating, motifs/inscriptions when applicable, historical relevance, and provenance.