An exceptional Moche Stirrup Vessel of The Botanical Frog, Moche III Period, ca. 400 - 700 CE

The supernatural creature known as The Botanical Frog combines frog, plant, feline and serpent attributes. This is a fairly simple rendering of the theme, in which the frog's face and body provide the primary form, but the pelt spots on the body are feline traits.  This clay vessel features a stirrup-type top spout, head held upward, large wide-open eyes, tapered snout, and thin wide mouth. Cream slip ground with reddish-brown spots and details. The Botanical Frog is associated with both agricultural fertility rituals and militaristic processions on Moche ceramics.

The Moche were unique among Andean cultures in their ability to realistically portray the world around them. Although their subject matter can be esoteric, including anthropomorphic demon creatures and deities, there was clearly a genre of realistic representations of animals, fish, birds and plant forms, as well as scenes of daily life on painted vessels. 

Published/Exhibited: Ancient Forms For The Modern Eye, Colnaghi Gallery, NYC, April 17th - July 20, 2018, #XIII

Medium:  Clay, polychrome

Dimensions:  Height:  7 1/4 inches (18.4 cm)

Condition:  Spout professionally repaired and reattached with cosmetic restoration over the break lines that does not detract, some very minor paint wear, with some scattered surface deposits.  Overall in excellent condition, a lovely example. 

Provenance:  Private East coast collection, acquired from Economos Works of Art, Santa Fe, NM in 1989.  Previously Bettina Schwimmer collection, Chicago.