Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Michoacan, Tzin Tzun Tzan, Tarascan people, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. A remarkable tripod vessel comprised of 3 conjoined bowls, each with a rounded bottom, curved walls, an annular flared rim, and a tapered, zoomorphic leg. Adorned in white, orange, and red slip, the unique dish is elaborately incised and painted with linear, circular, and geometric motifs, as the bowls all connect at their rims, creating a decorative gap at the center. Each leg presents an adorable, canine-like head with a lengthy, striped neck, a pointed snout, target-motif eyes, and round ears. A petite stone or ball of clay is contained within the legs, allowing the vessel to produce a lovely sound when shaken! Size: 11.7" W x 4.6" H (29.7 cm x 11.7 cm)

In addition to creating such distinctive ceramic wares with painted as well as smoke decorated finishes, Tarascan artisans created impressive ornaments and tools out of gold, copper, obsidian, turquoise, and shell. In addition, Tzintzuntzan created an impressive architectural monument comprised of a stone-faced platform with five stepped pyramids known as yakatas on top. Offerings were likely interred with the Tarascan royalty and elite in these yakatas. The Tarascan people were led by a king whose capital was in Tzintzuntzan near Lake Patzcuaro. Successful leaders during wartime, the Tarascan kings were able to combat the Aztecs and maintain independence until the Spanish conquest.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private collection of a California, USA attorney, acquired in 2001; ex-Dave DeRoche Gallery, San Francisco, California, 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.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#169731

Repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Restoration to 2 legs. Expected nicks, chips, and abrasions. Otherwise, excellent with great remaining pigments and scattered mineral deposits. Collection labels on underside.