Description:

Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Tarascan culture, ca. 1450 to 1520 CE. Pipes are some of the scarcest artifacts to have survived the ages from the Pre-Columbian world. This superb example was hand-built from terracotta and features a lively rendering of a serpent's head, likely that of a rattlesnake as the hollow head is filled with small ceramic rattles. This head is positioned in front of a small, bowl-shaped chamber, a receptacle for whatever substance was smoked, likely peyote. The long stem of the pipe and snake head are adorned with delicate, sinuous clay appliques painted with red slip. Measures 10-3/4"L (27.3 cm).

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.

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.

#102396

  • Condition: Repaired from approximately a half dozen pieces. A bit of loss and surface wear.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

May 12, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000