Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Teotihuacan culture, 1st to 5th century. Two fine ceramic vessels from this ancient culture located in the basin of central Mexico. First, a lovely tripod bowl with gently flaring walls and a flattened rim. The firing process resulted in red-brown walls that contrast nicely with the blackened interior. Next is a vessel of an intriguing duck-like shape with a pointy 'tail' end and an elegantly flared spout, this one also supported by three rounded feet. Both are beautifully burnished. Size: 7.25" W x 2.375" H (18.4 cm x 6 cm)

Burnishing is a ceramic technique that involves rubbing a hard stone along the unfired clay surface to align the tiny clay particles that form the "skin" of the piece. When these particles align a lovely shiny surface results like we see in these examples.

Teotihuacan was the most influential and largest city in the New World, first settled 150 BCE to 100 CE, absolutely flourishing in Mesoamerica's Golden Age (300 E to 550 CE), and sadly destroyed by fire and abandoned around 600 CE. Perhaps best known for its two colossal pyramids (Pyramid of the Moon and Pyramid of the Sun) and grand sacred Avenue of the Dead, the city of Teotihuacan, with its tantalizing visual arts, architecture, and religion, profoundly influenced Mesoamerican cultures that followed.

Provenance: Ex-private Florida collection

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#120401

A few nicks to surface of duck-shaped vessel. Several chips to rim of bowl. Stable pressure crack to its tondo.