A large fragment from a Pre-Columbian vessel, likely dating to circa 800 A.D. 1200 A.D. from the fringes of the ancient Maya cultural zones of what is today modern day Honduras. This fragment measures approximately 5 1/2 wide by about 2 1/2 tall (item alone, unmounted on stand) and about 4 ½ tall resting on the display stand (included), and represents the upper portion of a broken vessel, perhaps once an olla form. There is an interesting adorno on the front depicting the head of a zoomorph ...click for details
A large Nayarit olla from Pre-Columbian West Mexico, circa 200 B.C. - 300 A.D. This vessel measures approximately 10" wide by about 8" tall (measurements are for the vessel alone, not mounted on display ring), and exhibits an appealing linear pattern in bi-chrome pigments of red and white. The remaining pigment is muted and worn in places, but is still visible overall. Interestingly, the bottom shows remnants of a separate pattern resembling stylized hand or leaf patterns in red pigmen ...click for details
A large Pre-Columbian Maya incensario. This intriguing vessel was deaccessioned the Mint Museum in North Carolina, which holds a world class collection of Pre-Columbian art. It measures approximately 11 wide by about 7 tall, and features applied thorn-like spikes, as well as a face with open mouth on the exterior. The spikes are most likely a symbolic reference to the surface of young Ceiba trees (which have thorn-like spike protrusions on their trunks), a variety of tree with significance in ...click for details
An elegant Cocle polychrome vessel from Pre-Columbian Panama, circa 600 A.D. 800 A.D. This Conte style example measures approximately 7 1/4" tall by about 6 wide. The vessel form is that of single spouted jar with a bulbous bottom and ring type base. The neck of the spout flares outward gracefully as it rises from the neck of the body. This appealing form is rarely seen compared to other vessel types related to this culture, which are most often plates or pedestal type fruiteras. ...click for details
An intact Pre-Columbian Maya polychrome bowl featuring three seated figures, circa 600 A.D. 900 A.D. This example measures approximately 5 1/2 wide by about 4 1/4 tall and shows a scene of very finely-rendered seated figures, each holding cups and separated by large pottery vessels, in what is likely a ritual scene. Despite heavy weathering and wear overall this piece is intact, and the remaining painted scene is a very fine example of Maya painted art. ...click for details
A Pre-Columbian Maya polychrome plate with glyphs, circa 600 A.D. - 900 A.D. Includes custom Lucite display stand, as shown. This large plate measures about 12" across, and features rattle feet on the bottom. It is nicely decorated in orange, red and black pigment, and depicts a series of 14 readable/decipherable glyphs encircling the top of the plate. The glyphs surround remnants of a central element, showing smoke and fire symbols in red and black emanating toward the four directions fro ...click for details
A fine and large Pre-Columbian Maya drinking vessel featuring carved and incised design elements, circa 600 A.D. 900 A.D. Measuring approximately 5 Ύ tall by about 4 Ύ wide, this rare example exhibits a graceful form of high technical merit on the part of the ancient artisan. It displays carved and incised designs that likely depict the deity Chac, as well as other iconographic and decorative elements. The surface also displays a fine wash of light brown pigment, with dark brown accenting th ...click for details
A fine Pre-Columbian Maya incised, lidded tripod vase of an early type known from the ancient Tiquisate region of Guatemala, circa 300 A.D. 650 A.D. Lidded vases are relatively rare amongst Maya pottery. This example measures nearly 8" tall with the lid in place, by about 5 wide. It features incised designs on both the exterior of the lid and the vase, with red cinnabar rubbed into the incised lines for visual accent as well as symbolic meaning. The graceful form of this vessel features ...click for details
A bold stucco covered, polychrome painted Maya cylinder from Guatemala, circa 600 A.D. 900 A.D. This large example measures nearly 7 3/4" tall and about 4 1/4" wide, and features a red background (alternating subtle vertical striations of lighter and darker red that are hard to notice in the photos) with staggered K'an cross glyphs depicted in black and white all the way around the exterior body of the vessel. ...click for details
