Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Gran Cocle culture, ca. 800-1000 CE. This long-necked vessel hails from the Gran Cocle Pre-Columbian kingdom of Central America or present-day Cocle province. Cocle ceramics include some of the most intriguing expressions of visual culture in Pre-Hispanic Central America. Beyond its elegant form, this piece uses design as a visual language. The indigenous ancients of Panama subscribed to the belief that the life force was dualistic, embodying both a male and female aspect. This vessel is decorated with highly abstracted avian or birdlike forms. To the ancient Panamanians, these exquisitely painted motifs would have conjured a known mythic or Shamanic being. The composition of this design is comprised of these fantastical life forms in combination with geometric bands of red and black. Geometric design elements such as these were imbued with powerful symbolism, although the cognitive intent of these has largely been forgotten or is no longer known. As for the color scheme, it is a binary construct with black symbolizing the female and red symbolizing the male. A gorgeous piece replete with manganese blooms and root marks. Size: 9-1/4"H. Provenance: Ex-Durango, CO private collection acquired before 1983. 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. #100200

  • Condition: Repaired from about three pieces. Else intact and good condition.

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April 16, 2015 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000