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Large Pre-Columbian Michoacan Incense Cover browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques: Regional Art: Americas: Pre Columbian: Sculpture: Pre AD 1000: item # 1175458
Riverbend Gallery By Appointment Athens, GA 30605 706-424-4626 Guest Book $499 |
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A large incense cover from the Pre-Columbian Michoacan region of ancient Mexico, circa 200 B.C.- 200 A.D. This example measures impressively at about 8 ½” tall by about 7” wide. It depicts a heavily adorned female emerging from the dome-like cover, perhaps representing a skirt-like garment, suggested by the striped patterns around the dome. She is shown wearing ear spools, and a large neck ornament, as well as a decorative headband. Such objects are believed to have been used as covers over burning incense, designed to allow limited airflow by means of short tripod feet at the base. The dome-like form was intended to retain heat within, allowing the burning incense offering to smolder, emitting smoke out from beneath the bottom edge. One can imagine smoke rising around the body of the cover, giving the illusion that the human form finial is emerging out of the smoke from the incense offering. Perhaps the image is that of a deceased ancestor for whom an offering would have been made. Condition: In remarkable, original condition, with no restoration and no repair. Excellent black Manganese blooms and other mineral deposits cover the surface inside and out. There are only minor surface abrasions, chips, weathering and wear overall. Evidence of ancient, likely ritual, use exists in the form of black soot build-up underneath within the interior and around the side edges from where incense was burned beneath in ancient times. Provenance: Former Illinois, USA collection. |
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