Costa Rican Pottery Lidded Effigy Jar - Chieftain
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Description
**Originally Listed At $600**
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rican, ca. 7th to 12th century CE. A hand built earthenware effigy vessel, possibly representing a chieftain of importance or a significant figure from the ancient Costa Rican mythical world. The figure's head forms the lid of the vessel with its meticulously delineated applied, modeled, and incised expressive features, round earspools, and elaborate helmet. The personage's body serves as the body of the vessel with applied limbs, garment borders, and incised schematic crocodilian creatures. Size: 3.75" in diameter x 4.375" H (9.5 cm x 11.1 cm)
The crocodile imagery on this piece is especially symbolic. The Crocidilia order, comprised of crocodiles, smaller alligators, and yet smaller caymans (all treated similarly in Pre-Columbian mythology) was very meaningful to the ancients of the Americas. The crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile is also a metaphor for fertility.
Provenance: private Atlanta, Georgia collection USA
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.
#122558
Pre-Columbian, Costa Rican, ca. 7th to 12th century CE. A hand built earthenware effigy vessel, possibly representing a chieftain of importance or a significant figure from the ancient Costa Rican mythical world. The figure's head forms the lid of the vessel with its meticulously delineated applied, modeled, and incised expressive features, round earspools, and elaborate helmet. The personage's body serves as the body of the vessel with applied limbs, garment borders, and incised schematic crocodilian creatures. Size: 3.75" in diameter x 4.375" H (9.5 cm x 11.1 cm)
The crocodile imagery on this piece is especially symbolic. The Crocidilia order, comprised of crocodiles, smaller alligators, and yet smaller caymans (all treated similarly in Pre-Columbian mythology) was very meaningful to the ancients of the Americas. The crocodile being the oldest (approximately 55 million years old) was understood as a crocodilian earth monster and is oftentimes shown giving rise to what was known as the World Tree. Partial to a watery habitat, the crocodile is also a metaphor for fertility.
Provenance: private Atlanta, Georgia collection USA
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.
#122558
Condition
Loss to one hand and base of lid. Expected surface wear with minor scuffs. Nice manganese and white mineral deposits. Two felt pieces and old inventory label on underside.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Costa Rican Pottery Lidded Effigy Jar - Chieftain
Estimate $700 - $1,100
1 bidder is watching this item.
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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