Lot 135
**Originally Listed At $300**
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Jalisco, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE; Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 700 to 900 CE; Central Mexico, Toltec, ca. 10th to 12th century CE; West Mexico, Casas Grandes, ca. 1130 to 1350 CE. A richly varied ensemble of four Pre-Columbian pottery vessels from Mesoamerica and Central America, each offering a glimpse into the visual language and ceremonial practices of distinct regional cultures. The group includes a Casas Grandes redware jar with a softly rounded base and mottled surface, a Costa Rican tripod jar with incised geometric decoration, a Jalisco figural vessel with a human head rendered in the distinctive 'sheep-face' style, and a Toltec quadruped effigy modeled with the expressive features of Huehueteotl, the Old God of fire and time. The Casas Grandes vessel, with its deep red slip and softly burnished surface, likely served a ceremonial function within the complex ritual culture of the northern Mexican desert. Size: 4.8" Diameter x 4.4" H (12.2 cm x 11.2 cm)
Its rounded base and globular body reflect the Chihuahuan tradition's elegant forms and restrained surface treatment. The Costa Rican tripod jar, crafted from buff clay and etched with linear motifs, represents the Nicoya region's refined ceramic vocabulary and may have functioned in ritual feasting or burial contexts. The Jalisco figure is seated on two legs, its torso flattened and arms abstracted, while the head bears the broad, long-nosed features characteristic of the 'sheep-face' convention seen in Jalisco sculpture. These figures are often interpreted as elite or ritual participants, and their stylization reflects regional expressions of identity and status.
Distinct from the rest, the Toltec quadruped stands with an alert posture, its sculpted head portraying Huehueteotl, the aged fire deity revered for his association with cyclical renewal, hearth rites, and the continuity of time. The expressive face - marked by a curled headdress and wizened features - suggests the vessel's likely use in ceremonial libations or temple offerings. Together, these four vessels illuminate the diversity of Pre-Columbian artistic traditions, blending regional identities with shared ritual functions across ancient Mesoamerica and Central America.
Provenance: private Fort Collins, Colorado, USA collection, acquired via inheritance
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#195566
- Condition: Quadruped has been repaired with break lines visible and Casas Grandes has find hole on underside of base, but other 2 are intact. Chip to rim of Jalisco jar and all have age-commensurate surface wear with some nicks and abrasions. Otherwise, all present nicely with scattered earthen deposits throughout.
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| 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 |