Description:

Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A finely built terracotta vessel depicting an adorable standing duck, with an expressive posture, of a substantive size, its surface of orange hues with black and grey smoke clouds and fabulous manganese and burnishing marks. The potter of this duckie added wonderful details such as coffee-bean shaped eyes, circular open crest, contours demarcating the wings and tailfeathers, an arched neck, and a slitted beak. Listen closely, and you just might hear a quack or two. Size: 9.5" L x 8.5" W x 12.75" H (24.1 cm x 21.6 cm x 32.4 cm)

Iconographically in the Pre-Columbian world, ducks were viewed as sacred animals of the watery realm and the sky world as they could both dive deep under water and fly long distances through the air. Duck effigies of West Mexican shaft tomb cultures like the Colima represented species of the Anatidae family and probably acted as spirit guardians for the deceased. In addition, duck effigies were associated with fertility and rebirth. A very lively example of this symbolic form.

Provenance: ex Baker collection, New Mexico, USA

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.

#124655

  • Condition: Repaired from about a half dozen pieces. Nice manganese deposits and burnishing marks.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

June 29, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% 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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000