Lot 345
Native American, Midwestern / Southeastern United States, Mississippian Caddo culture, ca. 1200 to 1400 CE. An extraordinary pottery effigy vessel modeled as a whelk shell, likely created as a ceremonial libation bowl. The shell features pointed whorls that project outward, knobby spines along the body, and an elongated canal that forms a natural pouring spout. The interior is slipped in a warm orange hue, and a spiral motif is molded along the side. The exterior reveals shell-crushed temper throughout the buff clay body, with visible white calcite inclusions. Whelks and conchs were prized as drinking cups for special beverages and served as potent symbols of status, wealth, and sacred authority, and ceramic versions were also produced for ritual use. The spiral form carried layered meaning, with sinistral and dextral orientations often interpreted as references to cosmological cycles of life, death, and renewal. Marine shells have been recovered far inland at major ceremonial centers such as the Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma, traveling roughly 1,400 miles (2253 km) from the coast, underscoring the importance of this enduring symbol. Size: 12" L x 10" W x 4" H (30.5 cm x 25.4 cm x 10.2 cm)
Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection; ex-New York, USA collection, acquired September 2012; ex-Old Barn Auction, Findlay, Ohio, USA
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.
Please note that buyers are responsible for understanding and complying with the import regulations of their destination country. While we carefully prepare and document all shipments, we cannot be held responsible for customs delays, clearance issues, additional duties or taxes, or any seizure of property. 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.
#201030
- Condition: Repaired with visible breaklines, and stable hairline fissures. Chipping to surface layers and slipped interior. Overall excellent a rare piece!
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
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $749 | $25 |
| $750 | $1,499 | $50 |
| $1,500 | $2,999 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $7,499 | $250 |
| $7,500 | $14,999 | $500 |
| $15,000 + | $1,000 |