Chupicuaro Transitional Olla

This is one of those very rare vessels that marks a distinct transition in pottery styles. The Chupicuaro culture of the Guanajuato Valley in Mexico started pottery production with their very fine brownware and at a period somewhere between 400-300 B.C. discovered how to create vibrant redware vessels. This olla marks that period where that change took place. It may have been purely accidental that a new mineral was added to the slip that covered this jar, and when it came out of the kiln, a portion of the spout emerged with the vibrant red that would be the standard for the next 300 years. Was this the very first such red-glazed vessel? Who knows, but maybe... Multi-lobbed jar with thin neck and flaring heavy rim, brownware with deep black firing clouds and that one area of neck and rim in what we would call "Chupi red." 5-1/4"H x 6-1/2"D, intact/near choice save one chip under rim.

 

Carved Moche Seashell

Very rare ancient sea shell carved with little figures, from the Moche culture of northern Peru, circa 300-600 A.D. Bleached white conch shell with six surviving zoomorphic figures carved into the various ridges of the shell. 6-1/4"L, worn as shown, but quite rare to find in any condition!

Standing Michoacan Female

A beautiful ancient pottery female flat figure from the Michoacan region of Mexico, circa 800 B.C. Well-detailed with headdress, large earspools, necklace with single stone pendant, large breasts and stomach probably indicating she is pregnant, remains of white and red pigment throughout. 3-3/4"H (9.5 cm) x 1-3/4"W (4.4 cm), intact and excellent.

 

Chupicuaro Human Head Effigy Bowl

This is one of those pieces that I would have loved to have seen before the ravages of time got to it... Even now, this piece has such power! From the Chupicuaro culture of south-central Mexico, Guanajuato Valley, dating between 300 and 100 B.C. and created in the form of a human face with open mouth, large nose and recessed eyes, decorated in the very classical Chupi colors and patterns of black and red checker-board squares. 6" in diameter by 3-1/2" high (15.24 x 8.89 cm) and intact but paint well worn as shown.

Matched Pair Nayarit Musicians

Rare to find such a well-matched pair, undoubtedly made by the same hand! From the Nayarit region of West Mexico, dating between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D., depicting a pair of musicians. One plays a single drum and is decorated with added white pigment over red base; the other plays a rasp over his shoulder. Each appears to be signing along to their tune. Drummer measures 6"H x 3"W (15.24 x 7.62 cm); rasp player 5-3/4"H x 3-5/8"W (14.6 x 9.2 cm), each has minor repair, else just about choice.

 

Costa Rican Face Pot

Nicely detailed ancient brownware pottery jar from the Atlantic Watershed area of Costa Rica, dating between 800-1000 A.D. Of rounded form, human face with cocoa-bean eyes, earspools, and decorated hair, arms acting as part of feet. 3"H (7.6 cm) x 3-1/4"D (8.25 cm), in good to excellent condition with rim chip, deep deposits on back.

 

Jalisco Crawling Figure

Attractive ancient pottery crawling figure from the Jalisco region of west Mexico, dating between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D. Hand-modeled clay figure of person of unknown sex, wearing headdress, earspools, and painted/decorated body, typical elongated Jalisco face. 4-7/8"L x 3-1/2"H, intact and excellent with paint mostly strong.

 

 

Mayan Jade Celt With Glyphs

Absolutely amazing piece of Mayan art! Ancient Jadeitite celt engraved on the front with large panel of glyphs encompassing a god, as well as numerous other characters, suspension hole through upper third for hanging onto sash, reverse left plain. 5-1/4"L (13.33 cm) x 1-3/8"W (3.5 cm), in choice condition, surface covered with calcified deposits. Most likely from Guatemala originally, but purportedly found in Costa Rica in the 1950s.

 

Unusual Michoacan Figural Jar

A most unusual ancient pottery jar from the Michoacan region of south-central Mexico, dating between 400 and 700 A.D. In the form of a fat man handling a huge jar, legs bent at knee, arms stretched out behind him (her) acting as twin handles, facial features in relief, and spine showing at rear. Decorated in orange and white checkerboard and geometric pattern. 7"H x 5-1/2"W, intact and excellent, save single chip to inner rim and pressure crack on reverse.