From the Gulf coast of Mexico, ca. 900 to 1100 A.D. A very large and impressive standing figure of an obviously male dancer; of hollow, buff terracotta with remains of black bitumen decoration. Stylized figure stands nude with open mouth, wearing earrings, protruding flange to one side of body, round cuffs at shoulders and draping across the torso. Museum-quality custom mount. 27"H x 13-1/2"W, repaired from about a half dozen large pieces, affecting center, arm, neck (no restoration, all ori... Click for details
They don't come much finer than this... Ancient Pre-Columbian Handled Bowl from Mexico, Olmec culture, ca. 1100 - 550 B.C. Fine, blackware terracotta pottery figural vessel features a swan with well-modeled head and refined facial features. Neck acts as a carrying handle for the piece. Incised detailing on the body. 5-3/4"L x 3-1/8"W x 4"H, minor handle repair, else intact/excellent condition. Rare example! R ... Click for details
Ancient Pre-Columbian Jade Disk / Pectoral from Mexico, Olmec culture, Las Bocas, ca. 1100-500 B.C. In circular form with a concave back, the front incised with jaguar motif; drilled at the top for suspension. In deep blue-green speckled stone with recessed areas filled with red pigment. One of the most prominent, distinctive, and enigmatic Olmec designs to appear in the archaeological record has been the "were-jaguar". Seen not only in figurines, the motif also may be found carved into jade... Click for details
Ancient Pre-Columbian Bowl, Olmec culture, Las Bocas, Puebla, Mexico, ca. 1200-900 B.C. Blackware pottery vessel of simple form with stylized symbolic quadripartite designs separated by bisected panels, red pigment highlights Olmec art was created to give power to the shaman and the shaman/ruler. Ceramics, for example, were fashioned of clay, which was coaxed into meaningful forms which would become the property and the containers of sacred substances of the important shamans. Then it was subje... Click for details
Ancient Pre-Columbian Coyote Head from the Aztec Culture, Valley of Mexico, ca. 1350 - 1500 A.D. Highly-stylized head of a coyote in buff pottery (originally part of a much larger piece). Aztec art reflected its environment, religion and everyday life. The region was inhabited by foxes, owls, jaguars, fish, birds, hummingbirds, deer, rabbit and duck, and the Aztec domesticated turkeys and dogs. These animals often were an inspiration for their art and decoration. This carved coyote head demon... Click for details
Ancient Pre-Columbian Bronze Tumi Blade, from Peru, Moche culture, ca. 500 - 800 A.D. Cast and hammered solid copper knife / ceremonial blade with a Jaguar head. 3-1/8"L, intact with small hole in neck.
Ancient Pre-Columbian Seated Figure, from West Mexico, Colima culture, ca. 250 B.C. - 250 A.D. Constructed from a light brown clay, this male figure has slit, coffee-bean eyes and mouth, earrings/earspools, turban with incised detailing, arms resting on his chest, wearing a necklace and loin cloth with incised detailing. Traces of old glazed pigments. 5-1/8"H, intact/generally excellent condition. ... Click for details
Ancient Mayan Whistle, ca. 600-900 A.D. Molded terracotta pottery vessel depicts a standing boar (or man wearing ceremonial dress). Remains of original white slip. Whistle still functioning. 4-7/8"H x 2-1/2"W, left ear and right leg reattached (leg may be restored, as well); minor losses to headdress and snout, else very good. Very rare example... ... Click for details
From the Aztec Culture, Valley of Mexico, ca. 1350 - 1500 A.D. Made from classic Aztec orangeware with rattle 'bird' feet that support the central bowl, extended bird head with raised facial features. Interior of bowl has a center red circle (depicting the sun), along with an upper red banding. 12-1/4"W x 6-3/8"H, intact/excellent condition. ... Click for details
