Lot 69A

8 Costa Rican Pottery Zoomorph Figures

Previous image preload Next image preload

8 Costa Rican Pottery Zoomorph Figures

Estimate: $500 - $750

June 5, 2026 9:00 AM MDT (In Progress)
Live Auction
Louisville, CO, US


Description:

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, ca. 500 BCE to 1500 CE. A lively grouping of eight Costa Rican pottery zoomorph figures, featuring stylized animal forms rendered with playful abstraction and tactile simplicity. The largest example, a hollow lizard-form whistle, remains functional, its cavity and mouthpiece intact, reflecting the dual role of such objects as both sculptural and acoustic instruments in ancient Central American life. The remaining figures, including compact quadrupeds and abstracted creature forms, display characteristic features of Costa Rican ceramic traditions, where rounded volumes, punctuated openings, and simplified anatomy suggest both ritual use and a deep familiarity with the natural world. Size: 4.3" L x 2.3" W x 2.6" H (10.9 cm x 5.8 cm x 6.6 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 196980

  • Condition: Damaged. Most are fragments with losses, chips, nicks, and abrasions as shown. Whistle still functions. Scattered earthen deposits throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% 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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000