**Originally Listed At $200**

Pre-Columbian, Mayan region, Maya/Toltec, ca. 900 to 1200 CE. A "plumbate" pottery head vessel depicting a shaman or priest wearing an enormous tapir head headdress, his face peeking out from inside of the creature's mouth, with the long, phallic animal nose hanging over the wearer's own. A tall, wide vessel mouth rises above the top of the head. Plumbate pottery is distinguishable by its uniquely shiny - sometimes even iridescent - glaze that has been fired at very high temperatures. Plumbate ware was probably made by a very small number of artisans around the Mexico/Guatemala border who then exported them throughout wider Mesoamerica. Baird's tapir was the largest animal in Mayan territory and could weigh up to 650 pounds; the Maya associated the animal, which is nocturnal, with the underworld, sexual potency, and fertility. Size: 3.25" W x 4.25" H (8.3 cm x 10.8 cm)

Provenance: Estate of R. Pearson, Denver, Colorado, USA; Mr. Pearson collected from the third quarter of the 20th century until he passed away.

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.

#143106

Rim is repaired and restored. This is well done and difficult to discern. Nice remaining detail.