Rare Olmec Black & White Tecomate; ex-Merrin, TL'd

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Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art

By Artemis Fine Arts

May 1, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-01 10:00:00 2025-05-01 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethno, Fine Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethno-fine-art-19334
Showcasing an extraordinary array of artifacts and art, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial treasures, fossils, fine and visual arts, and more! All ancient items are ethically sourced and legally available for sale. Enjoy the ease of in-house shipping for a seamless experience! Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com

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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Las Bocas region, Olmec culture, ca. 12th to 9th century BCE. This rare pottery vessel, known as a tecomate, features a stunning orb shape with a narrow circular opening, closely resembling the natural form of a calabash or gourd. The surface is smooth from burnishing, with a incised line around the upper shoulder, a white kaolin slip, and a "smoke glazed" black band encircling the vertical axis. The black band was likely achieved through reduction firing, where the pottery was heated in a low-oxygen environment, causing the iron oxide in the clay to turn black. Named after the Nahuatl word for gourd, tecomates were traditionally used in feasts to store liquids or food and were often placed in tombs as grave goods, symbolizing fertility and abundance in Olmec cosmology. This vessel represents both functional craftsmanship and profound cultural symbolism, making it a remarkable piece from ancient Mesoamerica. Size: 4" Diameter x 3.75" H (10.2 cm x 9.5 cm)
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report will accompany the item upon purchase.
  
  Provenance: private Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA collection, acquired in 2012, ex-Merrin Gallery, NYC with copy of invoice from 1986.
  
  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.
  
  #192389

  Condition

  Choice, intact and excellent. Rare pattern. Old inventory number on the base. TL holes to underside of base and interior of rim.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

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