Lot 83A
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, Comala style, ca. 300 BCE to 200 CE. A precious pottery vessel in parrot form with wings crossed and an upward-sweeping tail that functions as a spout. Standing in a naturalistic pose atop broad feet, the bird presents a puffed chest as it projects its head forward to boast raised, target-motif eyes, a prominent front, and a large, curved beak held open to expose a protruding tongue. Among the remarkably graceful vessels once originally buried in the shaft tombs for which West Mexico is known, representations of animals are some of the most charming. This very realistic effigy of a parrot is a magnificent example of the mastery West Mexican sculptors attained in portraying the fauna with which they came in contact. Size: 8.6" L x 3.9" W x 5.5" H (21.8 cm x 9.9 cm x 14 cm)
In ancient American societies, birds were powerful symbols that represented the realm of the sky. In West Mexico tradition, parrots were especially important as they represented fire and the sun due to their brightly colored feathers.
Cf. North Carolina Museum of Art (90.6), National Museum of the American Indian (22/5718), Indiana Museum of Art at Newfields (1993.61), Gilcrease Museum (54.8183), and Detroit Institute of Arts (F1990.30).
Provenance: ex-private Estate collection, Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA, acquired 1960 to 2024
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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#185546
- Condition: Professionally repaired with some repainting and resurfacing over break lines; all expertly done and very difficult to notice. Some light abrasions to surface, but otherwise excellent presentation with great pigments and lustrous burnish. Earthen deposits to interior and old collection label on underside of left foot.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
8. IN-HOUSE SHIPPING: All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. We are currently experiencing shipping delays due to staff shortages, please allow up to 15 days for shipping after payment is received. If you prefer to work with a third-party shipper, we can assist with recommendations.
**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Australia, Germany and Switzerland due to customs clearance issues. If you are in one of these countries, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*
**For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |