Lot 4
Native American, Southwestern United States, Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi), ca. 700 to 950 CE. A lively Ancestral Pueblo duck effigy vessel, painted in bold black-on-white patterns and shaped with a sense of humor and real affection for the natural world. The vessel is modeled as a plump waterfowl with a rounded body, swollen breast, short cylindrical neck, and a slanted handle rising from the back. Across the body, the surface is covered with dense fields of painted dots, suggesting feathers and movement, while the neck carries looping motifs in dark pigment, giving the form a strong graphic finish. A geometric band decorates the handle, adding a crisp, textile-like accent to the sculptural silhouette. Size: 8.8" L x 6" W x 6.7" H (22.4 cm x 15.2 cm x 17 cm)
Duck effigy vessels are among the most charming and sought-after forms in Ancestral Pueblo ceramics, combining utility with playful figuration. Water birds also carried meaning in the Pueblo world, tied to springs, seasonal rains, and the life-giving presence of water in an arid landscape. While the exact symbolism of this example cannot be known with certainty, the choice of a duck form strongly suggests an interest in fertility, renewal, and the sacred value of water. With its balanced proportions, confident painting, and instantly recognizable profile, this vessel stands as an excellent example of early Ancestral Pueblo artistry, where everyday function and imaginative design meet in fired clay.
Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection, acquired prior to 2002
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#201042
- Condition: Repaired with some chipping along visible break lines as well as along the rim. Nicks and abrasions as shown, but, otherwise, nice presentation with good remaining pigments.
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