Pre-Columbian, Southern Mexico to Guatemala, Olmec culture, ca. 1200 to 550 BCE. A rare and fascinating pottery bowl presenting a round but stable base, a shallow basin, and a circular rim that opens to a spout on one side. Enveloped in a lustrous burnish over a warm hue of taupe, the intriguing object has been incised with a spotted petaloid on its exterior. Vaguely resembling the form of a uterus, vessels like this example may have been used during birthing and fertility ceremonies. Size: 12.875" in diameter x 2.75" H (32.7 cm x 7 cm)

The Olmec are the ancestors of all Mesoamerican civilizations. Their artistic style was practiced in the tropical lowlands of south-central Mexico and diffused outward through extensive trade networks that stretched into northern Mexico and central America. As the first major civilization in this fertile area, scholars believe that Olmec artwork was revered by later civilizations that kept pieces as heirlooms. The Olmec style laid the artistic groundwork for many future civilizations and is famous for its anthropomorphic depictions that became synonymous with elite status in the highlands.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, collected from 1970 to 2008; ex-Wasserman collection

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#161491

Restoration to part of spout. Expected surface wear with light nicks commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressive remaining pigments.