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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.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2418
Large Pre-Columbian Colima Seated Shaman Vessel
Sold for (Inc. bp): £650
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Pre-Columbian Nazca Terracotta Vessel with Mythical Creature
100-700 A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £845
Biconical vessel with conical underside and domed upper, two vertical spouts to the centre with flat-section bar between, painted frieze of creatures to the shoulder including severed heads. 713 grams, 18.5 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent.
The depiction of severed heads being held by mythical creatures as trophies reflects a society where warfare was commonplace and celebrated through art. -
Pre-Columbian Chimu Terracotta Anthropomorphic Vessel
Circa 800 B.C. or laterSold for (Inc. bp): £78
Fusiform in profile with flared rim, lateral strap handles, applied facial details. 155 grams, 12.3 cm
From a collection acquired on the UK art market from various auction houses and collections mostly before 2000. From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. -
Mesoamerican Aztec Jadeite Seated Figure with Offering Bowls
10th-early 16th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £10,400
Seated male figure with legs crossed, arms bent, hands placed in an advanced position each offering a cup; bracelets on the upper arms; ceremonial headdress, round lobed earrings, the body covered only by a fringed loincloth, or ehuatl. 5.85 kg, 30 cm
From an Italian collector living in Torino, Canada. Part of her family's collection, 1965. By descent from her grandmother, 1993. Private collection, England. Accompanied by a copy of the Italian cultural export permit. Accompanied by a signed academic report by Emilio J. Bejarano Erosa (Director of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología E Historia, Mexico, 1968-1982). Accompanied by scholarly note TL5340 by Dr Ronald Bonewitz. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10287-168435.
The Aztecs' capital city, Tenochtitlan, established in the 14th century, was located on the present-day site of Mexico City.
