Description:

Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Cauca River Valley, Calima Alcarraza, ca. 150 to 900 CE. A polychrome human effigy stirrup vessel created by the Alcarraza, a Calima culture of ancient Colombia, depicting a nude standing helmetted warrior, facing forward with an oversized head presenting abstract features, the openwork, crescent moon shaped eyes and perforations behind the head allowing for liquid to pass evenly through the spout. Size: 7" L x 6" H (17.8 cm x 15.2 cm)

Beyond this vessel's elegant form and intriguing iconography, the surface of its spherical body and spout is adorned with black geometric and netted patterns, a trademark of the Calima, created via negative resist. For similar examples created by the Alcarazza, see "Colombia Before Colombus: The People, Culture, and Ceramic Art of Prehispanic Colombia" by Armand Labbe (1986). Such elaborately decorated vessels were traditionally used for storing chicha beer for ritualistic libations.

Provenance: Ex-Private New York Collection, ex southwest collection, ex-Art for Eternity

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#119543

  • Condition: Loss to spout as shown, repairs to strap handle and back of figure.

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May 25, 2017 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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