Old Apache Indian Willow Basket

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: American Indian Pre 1940: item #498304

Pretty six point star design, devils claw and willow, hand woven circa 1920-40, Apache Indian basket. Note the smooth even weave.

Dimensions are 10 1/4" by 2 1/2". Like new condition, age patina. No missing stitches.

Great buy at $985.00. Buyer pays $12.00 for shipping.... Click for details

Moche Malky Vessel

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #496745
MO539

An exquisite Moche III Malky effigy from Peru, ca. 200 - 450 AD, 8" high, 6" long. The figure is rendered in exceptional detail, with special attention paid to the facial expression and the layered headdress. He is seated in front of a rolled textile bundle, which represents the textile wrapping of this mummy. In superb condition, with strong paint, nice deposits and a high pitch tone on the functional whistle. Museum deaccession. An exceptional example of Moche art. ... Click for details

Interesting Leather Quillwork Container

Archives: Regional Art: Americas Pre 1920: item #496661
Ch0606

An interesting cylindrical quillwork container, the leather body stitched (in bird quill?) with a fine stylised floral design. Length: 4 5/8 in.; diameter: 2 in., probably 19th cent.

The stitching of the base of the cylinder has partially come adrift, so it wouldn’t be suitable to contain anything heavy. Otherwise sturdy, with a few small losses only.

Choice Jamacoaque Shaman Figure, Ecuador

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: South American Pre AD 1000: item #493592

This excellent Jamacoaque shaman figure from Ecuador represents a typical shaman about to undertake a drug-induced transformation, a common motif in Jamacoaque art. He is elaborately decorated with earrings, a nosering, and necklaces, and he is holding hallucinogenic paraphanalia in each hand (a snuff tube and small jar) to aid in his transformation, most likely into a ferocious jaguar. Saunders' "Icons of Power: Feline Symbolism in the Americas" notes that jaguar symbolism is explicitly assoc... Click for details

Nazca Trophy Head

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #490891
NZ264

An exceptional Nazca Trophy head from Peru, ca 300 - 500 AD. This superb example is 6-3/4" high, 6" in diameter and has a beautifully detailed face with decorative panel. In addition to the ornaments on the forehead, the back of the head is decorated with a two-headed caterpillar executed in fine detail. In excellent condition, with good deposits. Museum deaccession.

Moche Mountain Scene

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #486598
MO481

An exceptional Moche III Mountain scene from Peru, ca. 200 - 450 AD. This wonderful example is 7" high and depicts a Moche warrior seated on a mountain top accompanied by one of the Apus in the form of a monkey. The detailing of the figures is magnificently executed, with Fineline painting of plants, including the potent San Pedro cactus, adorning the cream slipped areas. Much has been written about Mountain scenes and they are recognized to be among the culturally more important ceramics. In... Click for details

Leekya Deyuse Fetish Necklace

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: American Indian Pre 1970: item #485488

Fifteen birds delicately carved from shells by Master Zuni Indian artist Leekya Deyuse, b.1889-d.1966. Leekya is the most famous of all the Zuni Indian fetish carvers, having begun making fetish necklaces in the 1920s.

The dainty necklace is 24" overall length, strung on hand rolled Santo Domingo heishe. Each bird is unique, following the shape of the shell. Leekya was known for using jeweler's files and watch maker's ... Click for details

Inca Polychrome Ariballo

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre 1492: item #476549
IN77

A gorgeous Inca ariballo from Peru, ca. 1400 AD. This exceptional 9-3/4" high vessel is Imperial Inca, decorated with the characteristic pattern of the period. The paint is vivid and the overall condition is excellent, with the adorno, the strap handles and the tiny loops at the rim all intact. A rare example.

Maya Skulls Cylinder

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #473406
MA571

A fantastic Maya cylinder vase from the Peten region of Guatemala, ca. 550 - 700 AD. This highly burnished vessel is decorated with a series of incised skulls, portrayed laughing and showing a protruding tongue. This beautiful vase depicts an important scene from the Popul Vuh. The nodes on the rim identify it as originating in the Southern Peten region, save for a couple stabilized stress cracks it's in excellent condition, with nice deposits and root marks.

Cute Set of Five Nazca Textile Hummingbirds

Archives: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian Pre AD 1000: item #471559

This cute little grouping of multi-colored hummingbirds was originally part of a much longer series that formed the fringe of a larger Nazca textile. While I have no idea what happened to the original textile, these five have managed to hang together for about 1500 years and deserve to stay together!

The Nazca civilization of Peru was one of the most advanced of its day. They developed advanced farming methods that ... Click for details