Pre-Columbian, Western Venezuela, Andean region, Timoto-Cuica culture, ca. 1000 CE. A hand-built and highly burnished pottery pipe of fine form with an elongated triangular body, a broad neck bearing an anthropomorphic face, and a tubular neck with a thick rim surrounding the interior receptacle. The abstract visage is composed of slit-form eyes with puffy lids, a petite nose, pouty lips, perky ears, and a squat forehead. Traces of brown, red, and orange pigment are visible in some recessed areas and suggest this pipe was at one time painted with colorful embellishments. Size: 6.8" L x 2.1" W x 3.875" H (17.3 cm x 5.3 cm x 9.8 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Eugene Lions collection, Switzerland, acquired before 1970

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#151872

Professional repair and restoration to back half of neck as well as body just in front of face, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines. Minor abrasions and nicks to body, face, and neck, with areas of fire-darkening to pigment, and fading to original pigmentation. Light earthen deposits throughout. Faint traces of original pigment in some recessed areas near face and neck.