Lot 17
Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Valdivian culture, ca. 2300 to 2000 BCE. A hand-carved stone effigy of abstract form depicting an owl. The squat, trapezoidal composition features slightly convex surfaces along with a rectangular body and lower body tapering lines formed by deep, string-cut grooves. The minimalist face features a pair of ovoid eyes connected via a lower incised groove as well as a squat forehead. Owls were widely symbolic in the Pre-Columbian world, considered shamanic, guiding humans on their journeys to other worlds, the divine, and death. In some cultures, an anthropomorphic owl represented a warrior or war god. Size: 4.9" W x 6.9" H (12.4 cm x 17.5 cm)
The ancient Valdivia culture of Ecuador was initially discovered by archaeologist Emilio Estrada in 1956, fairly recently in historic terms, and it is regarded as one of the oldest cultures of the ancient Americas. Interestingly, this culture still poses a bit of a mystery to scholars as no finite end to this culture has been identified yet; what's more, no sign of a cultural migration has surfaced. Most plausible is that the population somehow dwindled inspiring members of the communities to leave their settlements in search of opportunities elsewhere.
Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA acquired prior to 2000
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.
#169822
- Condition: Chips to upper and lower corners along the proper right side as shown, with minor softening to some string-cut details, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits and surface smoothness throughout.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |