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LOT 2418
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
MEXICO, PROTOCLASSIC PERIOD, CIRCA 100 B.C.-250 A.D.
14 3/8 in. (1.9 kg, 36.5 cm).
Red ware, hollow-formed and modelled in the round, seated figure with horn to the brow and pierced ears, incised decoration to the midriff, pouring spout to rear of head.
Provenancewith Bonhams, London, 24 May 2016, lot 21.
Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, gentleman.
See Holsbeke, M., Offerings for a New Life, Funerary images from pre-Columbian West Mexico, Antwerp Ethnographic Museum, 1998, figure 3, for a guardian striking a similar pose.
FootnotesHolding a throwing stone in one hand and facing an unseen danger to his left as was tradition. This seated figure can be identified as a tomb guardian with the horn on his head marking him as a shaman or with magical powers. His purpose was to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The Colima culture produced the greatest variety of sculpture across ancient West Mexico.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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Large Pre-Columbian Chancay Water Container with Monkey Handle
9th-14th century A.D.Estimate: £400 - 600 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £200
Drum-shaped in plan with bulb to the mouth; strap handle with sitting monkey to the outer edge; second similar handle to the other side; each flat face with painted check pattern and central cross with meander ornament; mounted on a custom-made wooden stand. 4.5 kg total, 40 cm including stand
Acquired in the 1970s. Ex Nicolas Cuppy, UK. Acquired in the 1980s. Property of a Cambridgeshire gentleman. -
Mesoamerican Costa Rican Jadeite Ceremonial Jaguar Mace Head
100-500 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £572
Dual profile animal-head mace head with drilled eye and teeth exposed; hole close the edge for suspension; mounted on a custom-made stand. 209 grams total, 11 cm including stand
Acquired in the 1990s. Private collection, England.
These mace heads were sculpted with great care and likely produced for high ranking members of society. Often zoomorphic in form, this example is particularly notable for its dual aspect with a monkey face on one side contrasted with a more human skull appearance on the other. A fine and interesting example with great expression and design. -
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
Mexico, Protoclassic Period, circa 100 B.C.-250 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
Red ware, hollow-formed and modelled in the round, seated figure with horn to the brow and pierced ears, incised decoration to the midriff, pouring spout to rear of head. 1.9 kg, 36.5 cm
with Bonhams, London, 24 May 2016, lot 21. Property of a Gloucestershire, UK, gentleman.
Holding a throwing stone in one hand and facing an unseen danger to his left as was tradition. This seated figure can be identified as a tomb guardian with the horn on his head marking him as a shaman or with magical powers. His purpose was to serve and protect the deceased in the afterlife. The Colima culture produced the greatest variety of sculpture across ancient West Mexico.
