Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. Colima, Protoclassic Period, ca. 100 BCE to 250 CE. This brilliant vermillion pottery vessel assumes form of a wide, voluminous squash with a gadrooned body that is stylistically segmented with smooth, fine vertical ribbing, features a boldly flaring spout, and is supported by three legs in the form of parrots, birds prized for their feathers among the ancients of America. Each avian form is defined with incised and pierced ovoid eyes, curved beaks, and incised and modeled wings upon a plump body that resolves to a tapered tail. The slipped and burnished surface is truly magnificent. Moreover, art imitates life in this ceramic vessel! After all, the indigenous of Mexico used hollowed gourds for storing and serving food and drink. Furthermore, the iconography of piece is quite poignant as squashes and parrots were both symbols of fertility and abundance. Size: 12.5" W x 9.5" H (31.8 cm x 24.1 cm)

In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were highly symbolic and favorite iconographical subjects in art. As sky animals, they were associated with the celestial sun and moon and were believed to act as messengers between humankind and their deities. Parrots were and continue to be revered by the ancients of the Americas. Their brilliant plumage and ability to fly high above the tree line made them ideal incarnations of the sky deities, thought to be endowed with supernatural powers of celestial origin.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-Anne and Kirk Douglas collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired from 1953 to 1970s, thence by descent

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#175470

Repair to rim and one leg, with resurfacing and overpainting to infill along break lines. Minor abrasions and spalls commensurate with age, with light fading to red hues, and light earthen deposits, otherwise in excellent condition. Great preservation to avian legs and overall form.