**Originally Listed At $1500**

Native American, Southeast or Midwest, Mississippian, ca. 520 to 1020 CE. A remarkable coil-made pottery vessel in a form best described as the "human-head" hooded bottle. The rotund dish presents a round but stable base and a spherical body that tapers to a narrow neck with a slanted, annular rim. A haunting visage presents on the side of the neck opposite the rim, featuring a prominent nose, slender eyes, a circular mouth, and a pointed chin. Three petite points are featured at the top of the figure's head, likely representing hair knots. The sides of the ancient jar show lovely remains of orange, cream, and black paints, indicating that it once boasted a vibrant design. Size: 6.25" in diameter x 7.75" H (15.9 cm x 19.7 cm)

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

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.

#161665

TL holes on base and below rim. Collection label on base. Stable hairline fissure from neck to base. Expected pitting commensurate with age. Char marks to exterior. Otherwise, intact and excellent.