Description:

**Originally Listed At $200**

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Nicoya, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. A charming Nicoya pottery slipper-form vessel, designed as a stylized zoomorphic head. Hand-formed in buff to brown terracotta, the vessel presents a bulbous, rounded body tapering upward to a flared rim, while the forward end is modeled with subtle relief features suggesting a snout and eyes. The surface exhibits areas of earthen deposits and firing marks, testifying to its antiquity. Such vessels are part of the celebrated Nicoya ceramic tradition, admired for its inventive forms and whimsical stylizations that often merge the functional with the symbolic. The slipper shape, combined with its zoomorphic interpretation, may have held ritual or status-related significance, linking daily utility with cosmological symbolism. Size: 7.8" L x 5.5" W x 5" H (19.8 cm x 14 cm x 12.7 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-Sarasota Estate Auction, Sarasota, Florida, USA, March 30, 2025, lot 1629

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.

#196951

  • Condition: Fine hole to body of vessel and stable hairline fissure extending down from rim. Chip to rim and light surface wear, but otherwise, nice with liberal remaining detail.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 8, 2026 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% 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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000