Description:

**Originally Listed At $4000**

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A most unusual Colima redware vessel presenting a gadrooned squash form body supported by three shaman figures, each one wearing a horned headdress that denotes his shamanic status, facing outward and carrying the ribbed vessel on his back and with extended arms. While we have seen examples with parrot legs, shaman feet are incredibly rare. The sizeable vessel is enveloped in a rich red slip and covered with amazing manganese deposits! Size: 14.75" in diameter x 9" H (37.5 cm x 22.9 cm)

In addition to this vessel's impressive form, its iconography is very symbolic. Scholars note that whereas priests communicate with the deities through prayer, offerings, and rituals, shamans have the power to interact directly with the supernatural via trancelike states and spiritual transformation. Squashes symbolized fertility and abundance. Moreover, art imitates life in this ceramic vessel, as the indigenous of Mexico used hollowed gourds for storing and serving food and drink.

Provenance: ex-Clars Auction Gallery; ex-prominent Woodside, California, USA collection; ex-Ron Messick Fine Arts, Santa Fe New Mexico USA, acquired before 2003

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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#157374

  • Condition: Repaired from about 15 pieces, professional restoration over external breaks, internal left exposed. Restoration to top of one figure's head. Fabulous manganese blooms and rings throughout.

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July 21, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000