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THBTiahuanaco Polychrome Figural Vessel w/ Bucket Spout
About Seller
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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About Auction
LiveAug 22, 2025
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
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- Lot Description
Pre-Columbian, Bolivia and Peru, Tiwanaku (Tiahuanaco) culture, ca. 500 to 1000 CE. A hand-built and painted pottery figural vessel depicting a stylized human torso, its flaring shoulders and elongated neck rendered in an angular, abstract form characteristic of Tiwanaku ceramic art. The figure's head tilts upward, his gaze lifted toward the heavens, lending the piece a sense of spiritual engagement or ritual invocation. The face is simplified yet expressive, with prominent circular eyes, a pronounced nose, and a small mouth, all painted with mineral pigments in red, cream, and black. Vertical striping patterns cascade down the front and back, framing a central diamond motif on the reverse and evoking the elaborate tunics worn by high-status individuals in the Tiwanaku sphere. Slender arms are shown in relief, held close to the chest in a deliberate, symbolic pose: the left hand rests upon the chin in a gesture of contemplation, while the right grasps a small bucket or vessel. Size: 3.9" L x 6.8" W x 7" H (9.9 cm x 17.3 cm x 17.8 cm)
This secondary vessel ingeniously doubles as the functional spout, emerging from the figure's right shoulder. Small perforations at each shoulder may have once held cord or decorative attachments. The upward tilt of the head, combined with the symbolic hand positions and integrated spout, reflects the Tiwanaku mastery of merging form, function, and meaning. Such vessels likely played a role in ceremonial contexts - perhaps for libations or offerings - while also serving as emblems of status and spiritual devotion in the high Andes.
Provenance: ex-Robert Morris Fine Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Dean Hoskins collection, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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.)
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#196725Condition
Professional restoration to face and rim of vessel, as well as light surface wear in areas. Otherwise, excellent presentation with nice pigments and rich encrustations to interior.
- Shipping Info
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