Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jamacoaque, ca. 500 CE. Two precious terracotta tropical bird vessels, both boasting endearing avian features - perky beaks, lofty wings, and tailfeathers - one elaborately adorned with an ornate, triple-strand "beaded" necklace and a decorative ring around its beak that appears to possess a pair of eyes and a nose/beak ring. Perhaps this figure represents a standing shaman donning a bird costume. The other perched bird vessel presents a more veristic representation and shows nice remains of blue-green pigment on the surface. A beautiful pair capturing the magical qualities of birds, soaring creatures of nature revered in the Pre-Columbian world as sky animals that acted as solar metaphors and served as messengers linking humankind to their celestial deities. Size: perching bird measures 4" L x 3" H (10.2 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Peter Arnovock collection

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#117371

Standing bird missing one eye applique. Else both are intact.