Lot 7
Pre-Columbian, Calima, Colombia, Llama Phase, ca. 1000 BCE to 1 CE. An endearing redware double-spouted vessel - known as an alcarraza - expertly modeled in the form of a feline standing atop four stout legs. The rounded, inflated body supports a raised head with a curled tail hugging the rear, while an arched handle spans the back, flanked by two conical spouts. Flared ears crown the expressive face, which features concentric 'target' eyes, a pointed nose, and a wide, toothy grin. The swollen body is skillfully incised with geometric patterns - linear, triangular, and crosshatched motifs - that may evoke woven textiles or allude to the spotted pelt of a jaguar, a creature revered in ancient Andean cosmology as a symbol of strength, agility, and the spirit world. Size: 8.3" L x 6.3" W x 8.6" H (21.1 cm x 16 cm x 21.8 cm)
The alcarraza is the most iconic ceramic form produced by the Calima. Typically comprising a round body with twin diverging spouts and a central handle, these vessels were often shaped into figural forms such as animals, fruits, or architectural elements. In addition to their function as liquid containers designed to preserve and cool water, alcarrazas could produce whistling sounds when poured - a feature believed to mimic the natural sounds of birds or animals, imbuing the vessel with a sensorial connection to the environment. This feline-shaped example reflects both artistic refinement and symbolic significance within Calima ceremonial or domestic contexts.
Cf. Denver Art Museum, 1992.59.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired between 1978-1990
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#194037
- Condition: Loss to handle and minor chipping to proper left ear and nose, as shown, as well as some nicks and abrasions to surface commensurate with age. Otherwise, nice remaining form with good preservation of detail and rich earthen deposits to surface.
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