Three Aztec pipes were sold at Sotheby's auction on March 23rd, 2013 for $12,890. None were as near as nice as this one or even the other three I have for sale here. If you would like a link to this Sotheby's auction, please e-mail me. This unusual zoomorphic pipe depicts a duck. Original red paint covers much of the polished black-brown surface and eyes and bill are outlined by incision. Ducks were associated with rain gods...

Relics of the nile is pleased to present this Mayan bowl from Guatemala, ca. 500 - 800 AD. The bowl features solid color with an excellent, detailed design of chiefs that repeats around the circumference of the piece. The bowl remains in solid condition and the body remains intact with the exception of some chipping on the rim that has been slightly repaired in one place. The bowl measures 6" in diameter and has evidence of extensive usage, good root marks and mineral deposits.

An ancient pre-Columbian ceramic vessel from the pre-Columbian Veracruz culture that shows a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the region.

Dating back to the late classic period (550-950 AD), it is a testament to the incredible skill and craftsmanship of the ancient people who created it...

A West Coast of Mexico seed pot with scalloped sides with a green-brown polished slip in fine condition from the protoclassic period [100 AD-250 AD]. 4.5" wide and 4.5" tall.

A nice example of an early small Mayan cylinder with several small stress cracks from the pre-Classic [1500 BC-300 AD] period. 3.5" wide and 2.75" deep.

A really nice and quite scarce vessel shaped as a human figure with two smaller figures on either side, Late Chimü or early Incan, c. 13th.-14th. cent. AD.

Size: c. 17,5 cm. x 13 cm.

Condition: Good very fine and intact.

Ex. Old Danish Collection from the 1960s-70s.

A lot of three very nice pottery vessels, pre 14th. cent. AD.

An intact pilgrim bottle type in glossy brownish ware, Moche Culture, c. 200-500 AD. Height 16cm.

A very rare and interesting zoomorphic vessel shaped as a seal, Columbia/Ecuador, 1st. mill. AD. Intact - hairline repair. Lenght 16 cm.

A nice anthropomorphic blackware vessel with many embossed warriors, Chimú, spout chipped, probably around 1100-1200 AD. Height 16 cm...

A wonderful small group of three ceramics, incl. a very large vessel shaped as a duck.

The duck vessel is around 24 cm. tall and massive, Tlatilco, Mexico, very early and rare, dating before 200 BC! One leg reattached and some minor chips. This comes with copy of the invoice from 1968!
Large expressive Jalizco pottery head mounted, 9 cm. wide.
A chorrera zoomorphic pot, 19 cm., from two large fragments.

Old Austrian Collection from the 1950s and onwards...

Interesting and decorative fragment of a figural tile, Mexico, Aztecs, 1300 to 1521 AD.

The tile showing two warriors or deities fighting, one holding a dagger and both with elaborate headdresses.

Size: 26 x 19 cm. Thick.

Condition: Fragmentary, with most of the motif preserved, some corrosion to the front and more so on the back. Remnants of mortar or plaster.

Provenance: Collection of Gunna Munkvad, Denmark, aquired from the 1950s-1980s.

Interesting little lot of pre-columbian pottery antiquities, ca. 600-1200 AD.

Lot consists of a nicely engraved spindlewhorl, a cure and intact pottery bird whistle, a stone head and a scarce pottery mould for casting a head.

The head is ca. 7 cm. wide for comparison.

Ex. Old Private Collection since the 1970s.

A fine and accomplished Blackware vessel with the portrait head of a man, Precolumbian Peru, Late Moche or early Chimú, 7th.-9th. century AD.

Superbly detailed, made as a grinning man with his tungue between his teeth and wearing larger earrings and headdress, the spout of the vessel prodruding from the top of his head.

Size: 15,3 cm. tall.

Condition: Choice and intact, minor chips to the spout as is usual with these, but othervise perfect.

Ex...

Although just a fragment, the imagery is outstanding in this substantial gray pottery piece. Molded and carved, it depicts two seated chieftains facing one another over a table (?) resting on a skull. The imagery is crisp and clear. The piece measures 6" X 2-5/8", while the image itself is 4" in width by 1-3/4". Dating to the 5th - 8th century AD.

Large flat figure wearing a skirt, a turban and appliques. Condition: damage to the appliques, left arm repaired. Provenance: Arte Primitivo, New York, September 2005. H. 19 cm.

Blackware vessel with spout in form of a dignitary's head and relief of feline predators, Moche, ca. 200-500 AD.

An extremely attractive and interesting vessel, Moche blackware with carved cats or panthers and decoration.

Size: 20 cm.

Condition: Choice, minor chip at spout, othervise intact.

Ex Estate sale of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany 2003 and since then in a Hessen Collection.

This extremely rare incised Eagle effigy Aztec pipe was found by the famous Dr. Allen Hefin in western Mexico on 5/25/63. This piece is flawless in every way except for a tiny nick on the bottom of the stem. The patina is wonderful. It is 7" long and the bowl is 1" wide. This pipe is classified as a Michoacán procedentes and only a handful are known to exist. Three Aztec pipes were sold at Sotheby's auction on March 23rd, 2015 for $12,176. None were near as nice as this one...

A rare and very attractive Peruvian stirrup spout vessel in the shape of a monkey. Moche period (100-600 AD) Condition: the four legs have been restored, the nose is chipped. This piece comes from an old Dutch private collection. Height 17 cm Width 15 cm

This Mayan alabaster poison bottle dates to the Classic Mayan period C300AD-600AD. It is 2 3/4" x 1 3/4". and has no repairs or restoration. It was found in Peten, Guatemala. It is from the well known Willard Leutze collection.

This is a pre-Columbian ceramic head, Preclassic, C-200BC-200AD. It is from Guatemala. It is hollow blackware. The head has a beard and open penetrating eyes and top-knot. It is 2 5/8" long. It is Ex. Leutze collection.