{"title":"Vicús","description":"\u003cp\u003eWorks from the ancient Vicús culture of northern Peru, known for their distinctive ceramic vessels and gold and copper metalwork dating from approximately 200 BCE to 500 CE.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"pre-columbian-vicus-pottery-feline-whistling-vessel","title":"Pre-Columbian Vicús Pottery Feline Whistling Vessel – Peru, ca. 100–500 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eExceptional Pre-Columbian Vicús terracotta whistling vessel (\u003cem\u003ehuaco silbador\u003c\/em\u003e) from ancient Peru, dating to approximately 100–500 CE. This masterfully sculpted ceramic depicts a powerful feline — likely a jaguar or puma — shown baring its teeth in an expressive and highly animated form. The animal is rendered with prominent eyes, pronounced muzzle, and muscular body beneath a graceful arching bridge handle and flared spout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhistling vessels were among the most sophisticated ceramic forms produced in ancient Peru. Designed to emit sound when liquid or air moved through the chambers, these ceremonial objects combined sculpture, engineering, and ritual function. Felines held deep symbolic importance throughout ancient Andean cultures, representing strength, spiritual authority, and shamanic transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe vessel retains attractive red slip pigmentation and excellent surface character throughout, with strong sculptural presence and authentic age. A highly collectible example of early Andean ceramic artistry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCulture: Vicús Culture, Peru\u003cbr\u003eDate: ca. 100–500 CE\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Terracotta pottery with red slip glaze\u003cbr\u003eForm: Whistling vessel (\u003cem\u003ehuaco silbador\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight: 7.75 in  |  Width: 6 in  |  Depth: 4.25 in\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGuillermo Salazar, Lima, Peru, October 1969; Private Minnesota Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncient condition with wear consistent with age and material. Evidence of repair\/restoration to portions of the handle. Small loss to the spout. Scattered scuffs, pigment loss, and minor surface abrasions throughout. Presents exceptionally well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vicús Culture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53225793093999,"sku":null,"price":2250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-151.jpg?v=1784499647"},{"product_id":"ancient-pre-columbian-vicus-ceramic-owl-jar","title":"Ancient Pre-Columbian Vicús Ceramic Owl Jar – Peru, ca. 100–500 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis rare and authentic Vicús culture owl jar dates to approximately 100–500 CE and originates from ancient Peru. Crafted from ceramic with a rich red slip, the vessel features applied facial details — capturing the owl's distinctive visage with striking naturalism — and a strap handle. The form combines sculptural artistry with functional vessel design, characteristic of the Vicús culture's sophisticated ceramic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOwls carried deep symbolic resonance in ancient Andean cultures, often associated with the spirit world, nocturnal power, and shamanic vision. This jar represents a rare convergence of ritual object and artistic achievement, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Pre-Columbian or South American antiquities.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCulture: Vicús Culture, Peru\u003cbr\u003eDate: ca. 100–500 CE\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Ceramic with red slip\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight: 5½ in  |  Width: 4⅝ in  |  Depth: 4¾ in\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vicús Culture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53225793782127,"sku":null,"price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-157.jpg?v=1784499884"},{"product_id":"ancient-pre-columbian-vicus-ceramic-figural-whistle-stirrup-vessel","title":"Ancient Pre-Columbian Vicús Ceramic Figural Whistle Stirrup Vessel – Peru, ca. 100–500 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis expressive ceramic stirrup vessel from the Vicús culture of coastal Peru dates to approximately 100–500 CE and features a sculptural human figure with whistle function — a remarkable combination of artistic achievement and ritual utility. Decorated with a rich red slip characteristic of the Vicús tradition, the vessel exemplifies the sophisticated ceramic artistry of early Andean civilization.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStirrup-spout vessels are among the most iconic forms in Pre-Columbian ceramics, and examples incorporating figural sculpture and whistle mechanisms are particularly prized by collectors. The human figure rendered here displays the expressive, animated quality typical of Vicús figural work, conveying both individuality and ceremonial gravitas.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMounted on a clear acrylic display stand for presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCulture: Vicús Culture, coastal Peru\u003cbr\u003eDate: ca. 100–500 CE\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Ceramic with red slip\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVessel: 8¾ in H × 6½ in W × 7⅛ in D\u003cbr\u003eDisplay stand: 1 in H × 6 in W × 5 in D (included)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vicús Culture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53225794208111,"sku":null,"price":2000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-162.jpg?v=1784500024"},{"product_id":"ancient-pre-columbian-vicus-pottery-deer-vessel","title":"Ancient Pre-Columbian Vicús Pottery Deer Vessel – Peru, ca. 100–500 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eA remarkable and exceptionally well-preserved ceramic vessel from the Vicús culture of coastal Peru, dating to approximately 100–500 CE. The vessel takes the form of a stylized deer and retains vivid original polychrome decoration in black and cream over a rich red slip — a rare survival that speaks to both the skill of the ancient maker and the quality of this piece's preservation over two millennia.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeer imagery in ancient Andean art carried potent symbolic associations with the hunt, fertility, and the natural world. The combination of sculptural zoomorphic form with bold painted decoration is characteristic of the finest Vicús ceramic production, and examples retaining this degree of original pigmentation are seldom encountered on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePresented on a custom plexiglass display stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCulture: Vicús Culture, coastal Peru\u003cbr\u003eDate: ca. 100–500 CE\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Ceramic with polychrome slip decoration (black, cream, and red)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eVessel: 8 in H × 4½ in W × 10 in L\u003cbr\u003eDisplay stand: 1⅝ in H × 11⅛ in W × 5⅝ in D (included)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vicús Culture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53225794568559,"sku":null,"price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-174.jpg?v=1784500251"},{"product_id":"pre-columbian-vicus-double-chambered-whistling-vessel","title":"Pre-Columbian Vicús Double-Chambered Whistling Vessel – Ancient Peru, ca. 100–500 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eRare and highly collectible Pre-Columbian Vicús terracotta double-chambered whistling vessel (\u003cem\u003ehuaco silbador\u003c\/em\u003e) from ancient Peru, dating to approximately 100–500 CE. This sophisticated ceremonial form features two cylindrical chambers connected by an elegant bridge handle, with one chamber surmounted by a molded anthropomorphic figural element. Executed in earthenware with red slip and brown glaze, the vessel demonstrates the technical innovation and sculptural refinement for which Vicús ceramics are celebrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhistling vessels were among the most advanced acoustic ceramics produced in the ancient Americas. Designed to create sound through the movement of air or liquid between chambers, these ritual objects combined engineering, spirituality, and artistic expression. The figural component likely held ceremonial or symbolic significance tied to status, mythology, or ancestor veneration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe vessel possesses excellent ancient surface character with visible age, mineral accretions, and rich remaining pigmentation throughout. An especially desirable example with old collection history reportedly tracing to Sotheby Parke Bernet during the 1970s–1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCulture: Vicús Culture, Ancient Peru\u003cbr\u003eDate: ca. 100–500 CE\u003cbr\u003eMedium: Terracotta pottery with red slip and brown glaze\u003cbr\u003eForm: Double-chambered whistling pouring vessel (\u003cem\u003ehuaco silbador\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDimensions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHeight: 6.5 in  |  Width: 9 in  |  Depth: 3.75 in\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProvenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy repute Sotheby Parke Bernet, circa 1970s–1980s; thereafter Private Minnesota Collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncient condition with wear commensurate with age and material. Some pigment loss throughout. Restoration visible to portions of the bridge handle. Small chips and edge wear, particularly around the ears. Areas of restoration and crazing visible beneath the figural chamber, along with possible stable cracks. Surface accretions throughout. Displays impressively overall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vicús Culture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53225798140271,"sku":null,"price":3500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0984\/6967\/5375\/files\/s-l1600-175.jpg?v=1784500919"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.lybrothersfineart.com\/collections\/vicus.oembed","provider":"L\/Y Brothers","version":"1.0","type":"link"}