Lot 57A
Native American, Mississippian culture, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A beautifully composed Mississippian pottery bottle, intact and remarkably well-preserved, its elegant silhouette and richly incised surface offering a compelling union of form, symmetry, and symbolic design. The vessel features a rounded, globular body rising into a tall, gently tapering neck with a slightly flared rim, all hand-built from finely prepared clay and carefully smoothed to a soft, burnished finish. Encircling the body is a masterful decorative program of incised motifs: concentric circular 'target' designs alternate with vertical panels of dense crosshatching and parallel lines, creating a measured rhythm that moves across the surface like a visual cadence. These patterns are not merely ornamental - they likely carried layered meanings, possibly referencing cosmological ideas, directional symbolism, or social identity within Mississippian culture. Size: 6.1" Diameter x 9" H (15.5 cm x 22.9 cm)
The interplay between the smooth, darkened firing surfaces and the crisply cut lines gives the vessel a tactile vitality, inviting both visual and physical engagement. Subtle variations in tone, the result of controlled firing conditions, lend depth and warmth to the composition, while the precision of the incising speaks to a practiced and confident hand.
Ceramic bottles of this type are characteristic of Mississippian societies, where they served important roles in daily life and ceremonial contexts, often used for the storage and pouring of liquids. The long neck and balanced proportions suggest both utility and intention, designed to be handled, displayed, and perhaps presented in ritual settings. Intact examples with such clear and cohesive decorative schemes are increasingly scarce, and this piece stands as a refined testament to the artistic discipline and cultural expression of the Mississippian world - a quiet, enduring object shaped by both hand and tradition.
Provenance: private Colorado, USA Collection; ex-private Denver, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection
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#202254
- Condition: Weathering to surface with nicks and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressively preserved detail.
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| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |