Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A very rare pair of complementary shallow pottery bowls, decorated on the bottoms with a striking black-on-red avian motif featuring an abstract depiction of a bird with stylized long wings, one extending upward, the other extending downward, both swirling around its profiled body. Surrounding this and adorning the outer rim are elegantly painted linear and geometric motifs. The interiors are adorned with a rich black slip. These make such a fabulous pair as when viewed together, the birds on each plate actually face one another. In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were regarded as sky animals that communicated between humankind and the celestial deities. A rare and special pair, replete with marvelous artistry and rich symbolism. Comes with museum-quality display stand. Size of each: 7" H (17.8 cm); 8" H (20.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Huber collection, Dixon, Illinois, USA

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#117056

Intact. Nice manganese deposits throughout.