**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Manteno, ca. 1000 CE. A fine trio of ceramic stamps, each presenting a conical handle and a flat, rectangular face with a zoomorphic motif relief. The longest consists of 2 animals in a row facing right, both resembling jaguars with curved tails, jagged teeth, and spotted coats. The next displays 4 avian-esque creatures with long beaks and prominent crests, arranged in 2 rows to confront one another. Last, the most petite stamp exhibits a lone stylized zoomorph shown seated with a coiled tail and huge beak or snout, all surrounded by a zigzag border. Size (longest stamp): 4.6" L x 1.9" W x 1.9" H (11.7 cm x 4.8 cm x 4.8 cm)

Provenance: private Kansas, USA collection, acquired via descent from family in Jalisco, Mexico ca. the 1940s, and imported into the US in the 1970s and 1980s

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#171511

Repair to handle of stamp with 4 zoomorphs, but 2 other stamps are intact and very good. All have expected surface wear as shown. Areas of fire-darkening on 2 larger stamps. Otherwise, all are excellent with impressive preservation of detail.