Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Gran Cocle culture, ca. 600 to 1000 CE. An elegant pottery jar hand-painted with elaborate zoomorphic and geometric decoration in hues of black, gray, and red atop a cream-colored slip. Sitting upon a conical base, the wide-hipped body is surmounted by a towering neck that flares outwards to a broad rim. The decorative program is comprised of 2 horizontal bands, each of 4 rectangles containing designs that resemble spiders, frogs, birds, and dragons. In the Gran Cocle kingdom, geometric design elements such as these were imbued with powerful symbolism, although the cognitive intent of these has largely been forgotten or is no longer known. Some researchers posit that the brightly colored Cocle ceramics refer to the contemporary belief system, which seems to have revolved around a mythic "Rainbow Serpent" who was believed to be the original designer of these motifs. Size: 6.5" Diameter x 9.8" H (16.5 cm x 24.9 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, before 2010; ex-Foster collection, Maryland, USA, 1970-2000

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#173475

Professionally repaired with some light restoration in areas. A few stable hairline fissures. Expected surface wear with scratches and abrasions, mostly to base. Otherwise, very nice with vibrant pigments and mineral deposits.