2-798-960 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Peruvian drinking cup, 1845. Item from the collection of British critic, travel writer and slaveowner William Beckford, who was also an art collector and patron of works of decorative art. After he died, the collection at his home Lansdown Tower just outside Bath was put up for sale. 'The catalogue numbers some 650 lots, including gorgeous furniture, cabinets, paintings, antique gems, coins, agates, mosaic tables, sculpture, Etruscan vases, rare gold Japan, and what is described as "matchless china"...an ancient Peruvian Drinking Cup [Moche portrait vessel], of red clay, formerly sacred to the Incas, and extremely rare. Mr. Beckford was in the habit of remarking upon this Cup, on account of its similarity to the Etruscan ware, that it appeared as evidence of the supposed Eastern origin of the Peruvians; a notion he was fond of maintaining'. From "Illustrated London News", 1845, Vol VII.