Description:

Pre-Columbian, Southwest Mexico, Xochipala region, Classic to Postclassic era, ca. 200 to 1400 CE. A rare semi-translucent gypsum (alabaster) bowl in a soft pale pink hue, its thin rounded walls and gently curved profile allowing light to diffuse through the stone when backlit. The luminous material and color suggest ceremonial or high-status use rather than utilitarian function. Such bowls were produced by hollowing a solid gypsum nodule through pecking, abrasion, and prolonged grinding with stone tools and water until the interior achieved its smooth, even contour. The Xochipala region, located in present-day Guerrero, is renowned for its early lapidary and sculptural traditions, reflecting a long continuity of stone-working skill that influenced later cultures across southwest Mexico. Size: 2.3" Diameter x 1.25" H (5.8 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: private southwestern Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired prior to 2000

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#199346

  • Condition: Choice. Minor nicks to rim and abrasions to base. Natural interior striations to the stone. Proposed culture and findsite written on the surface of base.

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February 13, 2026 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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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