Lot 308
Casas Grandes Paquimé Effigy Jar - Modeled Seated Human Figure
Casas Grandes Paquimé Effigy Jar - Modeled Seated Human Figure
Starting Bid: $800
(0 Bids)
Pre-Columbian, Northern Mexico/Southwest, Casas Grandes (Paquime)., ca. 1150 - 1450 CE. A pear-shaped effigy jar in which vessel and figure have been fused into a single compact, top-heavy form with the logic of a well-kept secret. The body of a seated human figure emerges from the upper half of the globular vessel, its rounded head tilted slightly forward, the face softly modeled with pinched nose, slit eyes, and small applied ears. Paired painted glyphs mark the crown of the head. Schematic arms cross at the torso, the hands rendered with incised finger detail resting against the body, while the lower figure dissolves seamlessly into the swelling belly of the jar. The asymmetric, wide-mouth opening sits where the figure's back meets the neck, lending the vessel an almost architectural strangeness from above. Size: 6.7" W x 7.1" H x 6.5" D (17.0 cm W x 18.0 cm H x 16.5 cm D)
The polychrome decoration, in black and red on a warm cream slip, is characteristic of the Casas Grandes tradition at its most sophisticated. Bold nested triangles, stepped fret motifs, checkerboard bands, and parallel diagonal lines cover the vessel's surface in a tightly organized geometric program that reads simultaneously as clothing, as body painting, and as pure ornamental architecture. The lower hemisphere is washed in deep red. Casas Grandes, or Paquime, was the dominant cultural center of the northern Sierra Madre corridor, and its distinctive polychrome ware, with its fusion of human form and geometric abstraction, remains among the most recognizable and collectible ceramic traditions of the Pre-Columbian Southwest.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2025; ex-Barakat Gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired between 1985 and 2003
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 #
202639
- Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines. Chip to proper right ear. Light surface wear, but, otherwise, very nice presentation with good remaining decoration.
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
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $749 | $25 |
| $750 | $1,499 | $50 |
| $1,500 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $7,499 | $250 |
| $7,500 | $14,999 | $500 |
| $15,000 + | $1,000 |