Lot 11
Native American, Southeastern United States, Mississippian culture, ca. 900 to 1500 CE. A charming and sculptural pottery bowl shaped in the form of a waterfowl captures the quiet elegance of Mississippian ceramic artistry. The vessel is modeled as a rounded duck body, its curved neck and head rising gracefully from the rim to serve as a natural handle or sculptural accent, while a small projecting tail balances the composition on the opposite side. The bowl features a deep hemispherical body with smooth, gently curving walls and a slightly flattened base. The surface is plain and undecorated, emphasizing the sculptural form rather than painted or incised ornament. Subtle fire clouds and darkened areas across the surface reveal the conditions of open firing, a traditional technique used by Mississippian potters that produced varied tonal effects across the clay. The restrained treatment allows the vessel's elegant silhouette to take center stage. Size: 9.8" L x 7.9" W x 7.8" H (24.9 cm x 20.1 cm x 19.8 cm)
Duck effigy vessels were common among Mississippian ceramics, particularly in regions associated with major river systems such as the Mississippi and its tributaries. Waterfowl held symbolic significance in the cosmology of Southeastern Native American cultures. Ducks and other aquatic birds were creatures of both water and sky, inhabiting the liminal boundary between worlds. In Mississippian belief systems, this boundary carried deep cosmological meaning, often relating to the layered structure of the universe - the Above World, the Middle World, and the watery Underworld.
Effigy vessels such as this likely served ceremonial or mortuary roles, although some may also have been used in daily life. Their forms demonstrate the Mississippian potters' remarkable ability to merge functional pottery with sculptural representation. The stylized modeling of the head and tail conveys the recognizable essence of the animal while maintaining the structural integrity of the bowl.
Today, pieces like this remain among the most recognizable forms of Mississippian ceramic tradition, admired for their balance of simplicity, symbolism, and graceful design. The vessel stands as a testament to the refined craftsmanship and rich spiritual worldview of the Mississippian peoples who flourished across the Southeastern United States for centuries before European contact.
Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Daniel Wolf, New York, USA collection, acquired October 2016; ex-Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers, St. Louis, Missouri, USA,
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#201270
- Condition: Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines. A few small chips, as well as nicks and abrasion in areas, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent presentation.
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