Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, Nicoya, Potosi or Atlantic Watershed, ca. 300 to 500 CE. A wonderful pottery incensario comprised of a flared bowl and a conical lid surmounted by a seated, nude male figure holding a pipe to his mouth. The bowl and lid are adorned with applied triangles and bands of stippling, while the figure wears only a helmet like headdress and ear ornaments. The deep basin is large enough to contain substantial amounts of copal or other aromatic substances. Once heated, the fragrance would waft upward, exiting via the figure's pipe to appear as though he's smoking! Size: 8.8" Diameter x 13.9" H (22.4 cm x 35.3 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Howard T. Knapp collection, former NASA physicist, Florida, USA, acquired in the 1960s - 1980s

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#181289

  • Condition: Loss to one ear ornament on right side. Professionally repaired and restored with some light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, nice presentation and good remaining detail.

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November 9, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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