**First Time At Auction**

Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jama Coaque (Jamacoaque), ca. 100 to 500 CE. An extremely expressive pottery vessel in the form of a snarling jaguar with almond-shaped eyes presenting bulging round pupils, a large nose with flaring nostrils, and an open mouth exposing long fangs and many teeth. The jaguar wears a magnificent headdress and pectoral suggesting that this figure represents a transitioning or perhaps fully transitioned jaguar shaman figure. Remains of original blue/green and white pigment grace areas of the surface. Size: 6" L x 3.875" W x 5.125" H (15.2 cm x 9.8 cm x 13 cm)

Shamanic transformation brought on in part by the ingestion of coca leaves was a major theme of Jama Coaque pottery, departing somewhat from earlier Ecuadorian pottery traditions (Valdivian, Chorrera) that were focused on representations of humans and animals which while oftentimes abstract stemmed from natural representations. In this new phase in ancient Ecuadorian society, status and different occupations for individuals suddenly became important to symbolize artistically - suggesting that this was the time when their culture began to stratify and become culturally complex, with individuals in the society having specialized roles like that of a shaman.

Provenance: Whisnant Gallery, New Orleans, Louisiana USA, acquired over twenty years ago

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#123168

Losses to one foot and body of vessel as shown. Three pieces reattached to cylindrical body of vessel. Expected surface wear with pigment loss, though it still has nice blue and white pigment remains.