Description:

Pre-Columbian, Central Panama, Gran Cocle, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A charming pottery effigy jar in the form of a coatimundi, the whimsical long-nosed mammal native to Central and South America. The vessel features a rotund globular body that doubles as the animal's torso, surmounted by a modeled head with an elongated snout, upturned nostrils, and incised teeth. Painted details in red and black accentuate the features, with bold geometric lines extending across the body to represent the coatimundi's limbs and curling claws. The vessel is completed with a rear-set spout and handle, seamlessly integrated into the zoomorphic form. The combination of modeled sculpture and painted design illustrates the Gran Cocle tradition of transforming everyday animals into animated, symbolic effigies. Coatimundis, with their burrowing behavior and inquisitive nature, were likely admired for their adaptability and persistence, qualities perhaps imbued with spiritual or protective significance. Size: 6.3" W x 8" H (16 cm x 20.3 cm)

Gran Cocle ceramics are celebrated for their vivid polychromy and inventive zoomorphic forms, often associated with elite ritual use and funerary offerings. This vessel, with its playful yet commanding presence, exemplifies the culture's capacity to blend natural observation with stylized abstraction, resulting in an object both functional and deeply symbolic.

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

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#197774

  • Condition: Restored with chipping and small losses along some visible break lines and repainting over other break liens. Stable fissures, nicks, and abrasions in areas. Top portion of spout may be missing. Rich earthen deposits to interior.

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October 17, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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