Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Nicoya, ca. 800 to 1000 CE. An impressively massive and quite striking tripod, rattle leg, polychrome pottery vessel with a deep bowl and three finely delineated jaguar/anthropomorphic headed legs containing rattles, all finely painted in rich hues of chocolate brown, tawny orange, and cream. The interior tondo of the vessel dish boasts an iconic design of a deity donning a double-headed serpent headdress, its expressive visage with wide opened eyes and mouth as well as large ears, all hovering above a double serpent motif similar to that of his headdress. The interior flaring walls surrounding this figure are intricately painted with complex abstract geometric glyph-like designs, likely inspired by flora and fauna of the natural environment. The legs are in the form of a jaguar or perhaps an anthropomorphic head, with openwork round eyes, a protruding nose, and an open mouth bearing incised teeth and an applied, striped tongue. In addition, each head wears a painted decorated headband and protruding earspools that are painted with a floral motif. Given the grand scale, elaborate decorative program, and expert technique of this piece, it was most definitely created for a person of import. One of the largest tripod Nicoyan examples we have ever encountered! Size: 13" in diameter x 10.25" H (33 cm x 26 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Young Collection, Colorado Springs, CO, Ex Beverly hills, CA collection

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#116669

One leg was reattached but is very stable. A couple of repaired chips to face. Surface shows expected craquelure and wear commensurate with age.