Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit, Ixtlan del Rio type, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A splendid and quite sizable pottery musician playing an effigy rasp modeled as a couple with their busts at the top, their joined elongated bodies holding the rasp, and their feet projecting at the bottom. The male musician sits upright with crossed legs, his thick waist draped in a petaloid loincloth as a conical cap with a plumed rim surmounts his large head. White and black pigments form geometric designs across his body forming a bag, as well as his neck and head, as he gazes forward from bulging, almond-shaped eyes flanking a thin, curved nose. His mouth is open, in a slight smile exposing teeth, suggesting he is partaking in a joyous celebration. Size: 8" L x 9.8" W x 20.3" H (20.3 cm x 24.9 cm x 51.6 cm)

A similar figure of a more petite scale was part of a lot of 2 at Sotheby's New York, where the lot hammered $125,000 on November 13th, 2017 (lot 35, "The Collection of Edwin & Cherie Silver").

Provenance: private Ferndale, Michigan, USA collection; ex-Material Culture, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, February, 23, 2022, lot 129; ex-estate collection of Isadore and Nancy Marder, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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.

#182554

  • Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and break lines visible in areas. Nicks and abrasions to surface as shown. Loss of proper left ornament on headdress. Nice remaining pigments and detail. Earthen deposits to surface.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

November 30, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 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