Native American, Southeast or Midwest, Mississippian, Mound Builders, ca. 900 to 1543 CE. An exemplary, hand-built pottery bowl boasting a flat, circular base, a bulbous body, and a gently flared, annular rim. The head of a bird, perhaps a duck or a hawk, sprouts from one side of the rim in the position known as the wounded hawk. Depicted as though laying on its back, the avian animal displays a large beak pointed inward, an incised, target-motif eye, and a curved crest feather. A sizable tail protrudes from the other side of the rim, presenting a rounded, trapezoidal shape that is incised with vertical lines to represent feathers. Both the head and tail of the creature serve as handles for the vessel. Size: 7.875" in diameter x 4.875" H (20 cm x 12.4 cm)

A similar example can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art under accession number 79.8.7.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

Provenance: private Kansas City, Missouri, USA collection; ex-John Townsend collection, formed in the 1970s and earlier

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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.

#161655

TL holes on base and under tail. Bird head reattached. Bird crest feather restored. Otherwise, expected surface wear with a few chips to rim, light pitting, and minor abrasions throughout, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with lovely earthen deposits in recessed areas.