Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Guatemala, Soconusco region, Toltec civilization, ca. 900 to 1200 CE. A unique pottery pregnancy vessel in the form of an avian-esque figure standing with both arms raised at her elbows and palms exposed, as though she is flapping them like wings. Displaying a bulbous pregnant belly that hangs out further than her feet, the fascinating figure wears a long, feathered skirt that falls from her waist to the ground, as well as a feathered pectoral. An elaborate headdress featuring 2 outward pointing feathers capped with double horizontal bands and held in place by crossed strips sits atop the figure's head. Flanked by sizable earspools, her eccentric visage faces upwards presenting a pair of coffee bean-shaped eyes with heavy lids, a beak-like nose, and an interestingly simious mouth held slightly open to display 2 front teeth. The vessel's tubular neck projects from the back of the figure and features a circular rim. Size: 4.6" L x 4.3" W x 6" H (11.7 cm x 10.9 cm x 15.2 cm)

This vessel likely served as a Mayan votive offering vessel, either for an individual who died during childbirth and needed the offering for success in the afterlife.

Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex-Artemis Gallery, February 11th, 2021, Animals in Art Antiquity to Present Day auction, lot 71; ex-private California, USA collection, acquired in the 1990s; ex-Kaplan collection

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#170702

  • Condition: Repaired with restoration. Sides of face restored from new material. Collection label on base and collection number on verso. Otherwise, excellent with nice earthen deposits throughout.

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October 20, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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