Lot 146
Rare Taino Pottery Zemi Figure - Expressive Face
Rare Taino Pottery Zemi Figure - Expressive Face
Current Bid: $450
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Pre-Columbian, Caribbean, Taino culture, ca. 1000 to 1500 CE. A powerful pottery zemi figure, modeled in the round with a bold anthropomorphic face rendered in high relief. The visage is defined by large, staring eyes deeply drilled at the pupils, a broad nose, and a prominent open mouth with parted lips, framed by incised elements that may represent body paint, ritual scarification, or symbolic adornment. The rounded head is topped with a domed headdress or cranial crest, while the sides bear additional modeled forms that lend the figure a mask-like, commanding presence. The reverse features an incised circular motif quartered into four segments, each filled with radiating lines that suggest solar rays or a cosmic design. This iconography may represent the sun, the four directions, or the spiritual crossroads between worlds - concepts integral to Taino cosmology. Such carvings reflect the zemi's role as a conduit between the human and divine, embodying spirits of deities, ancestors, or natural forces. Size: 1.6" L x 2.1" W x 4" H (4.1 cm x 5.3 cm x 10.2 cm)
Zemis occupied a central place in Taino ritual life, serving as guardians of households, agricultural fertility, and community well-being. They were consulted by caciques (chiefs) and shamans for guidance, healing, and protection. Pottery examples are less common than stone or wood zemis, making this figure a rare survival.
Provenance: private Jacksonville, Florida, USA collection
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#197522
- Condition: Weathering to surface with nicks and abrasions as shown, but, otherwise, intact and very nice with good remaining detail and scattered earthen deposits.
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| 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 |