Lot 151
Choice Nayarit Mesoamerican Pottery Ballplayer Effigy
Choice Nayarit Mesoamerican Pottery Ballplayer Effigy
Starting Bid: $500
(0 Bids)- Register to Bid
- To increase your bid limit, Get Verified .
Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Nayarit culture, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A hand-built and painted terracotta figure depicting a seated ballplayer, distinguished by ceremonial regalia. The figure wears a tunic painted in red and black with a grid pattern filled with stepped motifs, and a tab-shaped loincloth projecting from the waist. Seated with bent legs and raised arms, the figure holds a rounded object in the right hand - likely a rubber ball- indicating participation in the Mesoamerican ballgame, a ritualized sport of great cultural significance. The face is stylized with large eyes framed by molded lids, an open mouth, and a pronounced hooked nose adorned with a septum ring, complemented by large circular earspools and a striped headband. A vent hole is present at the top of the head, and the surface is richly mottled with black manganese deposits from long interment. Figures like this were placed in shaft tombs and likely represent elite individuals or ceremonial performers closely tied to funerary and religious traditions in ancient Nayarit. Size: 8" W x 11.5" H (20.3 cm x 29.2 cm)
Provenance: Collection of Y. Kayvan, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from a Los Angeles, California, USA gallery acquisition dates range from the late 1990s to 2005
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#195311
- Condition: Choice. No discernable repairs. Chips and abrasions to tip of nose, ears. Heavy manganese deposits throughout on nearly every surface.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |