Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fantastic redware vessel with a wide, low body decorated with repeated patterns to form a peyote blossom motif around its shoulder. A narrow neck leads to a flared rim; the base is flat. Size: 11.5" W x 6.25" H (29.2 cm x 15.9 cm)

Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was during this time part of the shaft tomb culture, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the dead were buried down shafts -- 3 to 20 meters deep -- that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with a low ceiling. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and seem to have been used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. Vessels like this one were placed in the tombs in order to hold offerings. The peyote blossom is of course associated with drug use, which we believe was ritually practiced in Colima by shamans. Perhaps this bowl graced the tomb of such an individual or held an offering of the plant.

Provenance: Ex-Private New York Collection, ex southwest collection

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#119542

Base has two small areas of repair and a painted accession number from a previous owner. Some wear to pigment.