Description:

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manteno culture, ca. 850 to 1600 CE. A fascinating collection of 3 mold-formed and incised pottery stamp seals (sellos) in a variety of shapes, all with highly stylized depictions of zoomorphic creatures. The first is a trapezoid face with an abstract pair of animals- perhaps monkeys, within triangular frames, the circular stamp face contains a bird-esque being with a spiked head with zigzagging lines, and the last stamp has standing humanoid beings, but with long snouts and scored bodies like fur or feathers. All three are in excellent condition and have conical handles set in the center verso for printing with colored pigments onto skin like tattoos or cloth. Size of largest: 4" L x 2" W x 2.5" H (10.2 cm x 5.1 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private Kansas, USA collection, acquired via descent from family in Jalisco, Mexico ca. the 1940s, and imported into the US in the 1970s and 1980s

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.

#171501

  • Condition: Stamp faces are intact and excellent with clear motifs and light earthen encrustations in recessed areas. Stamp handles are intact and very good.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 12, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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