Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Rare Pre-Columbian Chimu Stirrup Vessel – Sea Plant or Fungi Motif

About the Item

Rare Pre-Columbian Chimu Stirrup Vessel – Sea Plant or Fungi Motif – 12th–14th Century AD, Peru An intriguing and rare Chimu stirrup vessel from Pre-Columbian Peru, dating to the 12th–14th century AD. This finely crafted ceramic features a marine-themed scene centered around a sculptural fungi or sea plant, possibly representing a source of food or ritual substance. The upper receptacle element may symbolize a traditional beverage or offering vessel, highlighting the Chimu culture’s close relationship with the ocean and natural resources. Culture: Chimu Civilization, North Coast of Peru Period: Circa 1200–1400 AD Material: Blackware ceramic Style: Stirrup-spout vessel with modeled sea plant or fungi motif Dimensions: Approx. 26 x 17 cm Condition: Excellent – fine surface condition with no significant damage Provenance: From the late Romy Rey Collection, UK, acquired prior to 1960 Cultural Insight: The Chimu civilization, successors to the Moche and precursors to the Inca, were renowned for their ceramic artistry, particularly stirrup-spout vessels used in ritual or funerary contexts. The naturalistic design may reflect symbolic offerings or medicinal uses of marine fungi or plants, often revered for their sacred or sustenance value. This is a museum-quality Pre-Columbian artifact and an exceptional piece for collectors of ancient Andean ceramics, South American archaeology, or those interested in the spiritual symbolism of Pre-Hispanic art.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.67 in (22 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 5.52 in (14 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    15th Century or Earlier
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6460239901672

More From This Seller

View All
Pre Columbian Lambayeque Stirrup whistle Vessel South Latin American Antiques
Located in London, GB
Pre Columbian Sican Lambayeque Stirrup whistle Vessel A most interesting stirrup whistle vessel of a man seated on top of a raft of storage vessel, ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Pre-Columbian Chimu Avian vessel ancient south America Circa 10 -15th century AD
Located in London, GB
A Pre Columbian Chimu grey ware bottle type vessel of a armadillo emerging from a pumpkin or gourd with a small baby armadillo on the upper side under the spout and a plaited stirrup...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Pre-Columbian Chimu Avian vessel ancient south America Circa 10 -15th century AD
Located in London, GB
A very cute small grey ware vessel of a bird transforming into a squirrel type creature with hands held in front, highlighting the principle of duality often depicted in the pre Columbian art Pre-Columbian Chimu vessel...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Rare Pre-Columbian Moche Portrait Vessel – Musician Latin American Art
Located in London, GB
Rare Pre-Columbian Moche Portrait Vessel – Musician with Panpipes – Peru, 700–900 AD An exceptional and highly unusual Pre-Columbian Moche greyware portrait vessel, depicting a diminutive rotund personage playing panpipes. This rare sculptural ceramic, dating to the Moche IV period (circa 700–900 AD), features expressive detailing including a crown-style headdress, flowing hair, and an axe carried at the side—suggesting both ceremonial and symbolic importance. Culture: Moche Civilization, Northern Peru Period: Moche IV, circa 700–900 AD Region: Pre-Columbian South America Material: Greyware ceramic Subject: Dwarf figure playing panpipes, wearing a headdress and carrying an axe Condition: Two prongs of the headdress have been professionally restored; part of the panpipes is lost otherwise intact and well preserved Provenance: From the Romy Rey Collection, UK – acquired before 1960 Additional Detail: Retains an old collection label on the base Cultural Context: The Moche culture, predating the Inca Empire, is renowned for its lifelike portrait vessels and ceremonial ceramics. This figure, possibly representing a ritual performer or symbolic character, reflects the Moche’s complex social structure, musical traditions, and representation of marginalized figures with spiritual or narrative roles. This rare South American artifact is a compelling addition for collectors of Pre-Columbian art, Moche pottery...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Pre Columbian Rare Moche Warrior Vessel South Latin American Antiques Art
Located in London, GB
Pre-Columbian Moche Warrior Vessel – Moche V Period, 600–700 AD, Peru A striking and rare example of Moche ceramic artistry, this Pre-Columbian greyware warrior vessel dates from th...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Pottery

Pre Columbian Rare Lambayeque Wood Figure
Located in London, GB
Pre columbian Lamabayeque wood figure Peru Circa 750 to 1375 AD A rare standing figure of a deity with triangular tear drop shaped eyes holding a child, Carved in very dense heavy hard wood Measures: Height 14 inches, 36 cm weight, 1.5 kg approx Ex collection of a Oxford Academic, reputed to have came from Pit rivers...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antiquities

Materials

Wood

You May Also Like

Peru Pre-Inca 900 / 1470 AD Chimu Pre Columbian Vessel In Earthenware Pottery
Located in Miami, FL
A pre-Inca Chimu culture, pre Columbian vase in earth ware. This beautiful little vessel vase, was created in the northern Peruvian region by the Chimu culture between the 900 / 1...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

Pre-Columbian Chimu Gold Mask With Scar
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A large sheet gold mask depicting a stylized human face having an individually fashioned and applied nose. Large low relief repousse eyes and rectangular mou...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Materials

Gold

Pre-Columbian Chimu Multicolor Banner with Geometric Designs
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Beautiful and Impressive Fragment of a Multicolor Banner with Ocher, Red and Purple with Geometric Designs with Birds and Mythic Creatures in Horizontal Bands. This piece is accomp...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Extremely Rare Pre-Columbian Chimu Gauze Poncho Textile, Peru, 1000-1450 AD
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Chimu brown gauze shirt with multiple red and white fringe lines forming V designs like the one around the neck, with very rarely seen sleeves and border fringe in the same material.
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Tapestries

Materials

Textile

Pre-Columbian Chimu Painting with 3 Warriors, Ex-Guillot Muñoz
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Chimu Painting with 3 Warriors. Part of a larger painting with 3 rectangles representing warriors with the characteristic Chimu Headdress. This one-of-a-kind painting is mounted and ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Pre-Columbian Warrior Banner, Chimu, Peru, circa 1100-1476 AD
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Pre-Columbian ornamental banner with fringes composed of warriors/divinities holding figures in their hands, surrounded by geometric frets. Two-headed birds in alternating colors decorate the top and bottom of the banner. This one-of-a-kind tapestry has preserved its vibrant original colors and fibres. Professionally cleaned. Provenance: Private European Collection Textiles from elite Chimu tombs include elaborate gauzes, embroidery, painted plain weave and tapestry, and three-dimensional fibre sculptures. Among others, shades of yellow and brown, scarlet, white, lavender-blue and olive green were the colors used. Birds and a deity wearing a crescent-like headdress have been the most popular decorative motifs. Many Chimu textiles...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Pre-Columbian Antiquities

Recently Viewed

View All