Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Tairona culture, ca. 800 to 1200 CE. An amazing mold made jar in the shape of a seated shaman figure. He is seated on a four-legged bench, with the bowl of the jar behind him, blending into his back. The bench he sits on has two mammalian animal heads rising from it on either side. The shaman's headdress mirrors this form. He holds some kind of ceremonial mace or staff. The realism and detail of the figure, created both through shape and incised lines, is incredible. Something about the way the shaman figure sits, with hands and feet together and head tilted slightly down, looks to this modern viewer like he is disappointed or tired. Perhaps this depicts someone who has just come down from the heightened state that shamans went into during rituals. This jar was probably used to hold ritually ingested materials like hallucinogens. Size: 2.55" L x 3.4" W x 4.15" H (6.5 cm x 8.6 cm x 10.5 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Atlanta, GA collection, ex Kramer collection acquired 1960 to 1980

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#117949

Excellent and intact