Description:

Pre-Columbian, Northern Argentina, ca. 250 BCE to 250 CE. Finely carved from black basalt, a large mug with a handle depicting a monkey climbing up the exterior wall, his head turned backwards so as to reveal an expressive visage with abstract facial features peering over his shoulders, his long tail curled to the right on the cup in relief. Quite rare! Size: 6" W from handle to opposite end x 6" H (15.2 cm x 15.2 cm)

Simian iconography was very symbolic in the Pre-Columbian world, and the monkey's whimsical antics have always fascinated human beings. Simultaneously interpreted as both a mimic and a contradiction of human culture, the monkey was thought to mediate between man and the supernatural.

Comes with Arte Primitivo catalogue from December 7, 2009 sale that featured the piece as lot 453 on page 127.

Provenance: private Chicago, Illinois, USA; ex-Arte Primitivo, December 7, 2009, lot 453

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#129489

  • Condition: Several old chips to rim and base rim and normal surface wear, otherwise intact and excellent. Old inventory label that reads 2270-1 on base.

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February 15, 2018 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000