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THBCalima Pottery Vessel - Zoomorph with Human Head
Lot 92a
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$2,400 - $3,600
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Bid Increments
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| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Calima zone, Valle del Cauca, Yotoco phase, ca. 300 to 1300 CE. A lively and masterfully sculpted four-legged vessel, its rounded, burnished body poised as if mid-stride, merging the physicality of a robust quadruped with the serene mask-like face of a human. The head, modeled in pale buff clay, bears narrow slit eyes and a toothy, incised grin beneath a prominent triangular nose, giving the figure a calm yet animated character. The body, rendered in rich red slip with patches of earthen encrustation, is supported by four bulbous legs, each tapering to diminutive feet. A raised tail projects from the rear, balancing the form and suggesting the vessel may represent a stylized jaguar or another powerful feline - animals revered in ancient Colombian cosmology for their strength and liminal ability to traverse earthly and spiritual realms. Size: 7.1" L x 7.1" W x 7" H (18 cm x 18 cm x 17.8 cm)
Atop the back, a loop handle connects two upward-reaching spouts in the classic Calima double-spouted bridge design, enabling the vessel to function as both a ceremonial pouring implement and a sculptural offering. Such hybrid anthropomorphic-zoomorphic forms likely carried layered meanings, perhaps depicting mythical beings or spirit companions, and were often interred as elite grave goods to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The refined modeling, harmonious integration of human and animal traits, and the vessel's animated posture speak to the Calima potters' inventive approach to form, symbolism, and ceremony.
Provenance: private Burbank, Illinois, USA collection via inheritance 2024, acquired between 1970s to 2000s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#196320Professionally repaired with restoration and repainting over break lines and others visible . Some minor chips, nicks, and age-commensurate surface wear as shown, but, otherwise, very nice presentation with scattered earthen deposits .Condition
- Shipping Info
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