Aztec Pottery Tripod Dish with Coyote Head Legs

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Art & Artifacts of North America

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 9, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-09 10:00:00 2021-09-09 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Art & Artifacts of North America https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/art-artifacts-of-north-america-7436
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Aztec, ca. 1300 to 1521 CE. A truly remarkable pottery dish presenting a shallow basin and impressively thin walls that flare outwards to an annular rim, all sitting upon three legs of zoomorphic form. Boasting a lustrous burnish over hues of burnt sienna and light orange, the interior of the ancient vessel is intricately incised with a wonderful abstract motif featuring a central floral design in the basin and a geometric pattern border along the walls. Each hollow leg has been carefully formed to resemble a the head of a coyote displaying a long snout, an incised mouth, openwork, coffee-bean shaped eyes, and pointed ears. Light remains of green and black pigments accent the elaborate decoration of the basin. Size: 11.125" in diameter x 5.125" H (28.3 cm x 13 cm)
  
  The Aztecs, like most pre-industrial societies, had a close relationship with animals and the natural landscape. Many of their cultural metaphors, adages, and omens were based on the behavior of animals, and some animals were known for their supernatural power. The coyote was one such - powerful Aztec wizards were believed to have the ability to transform into the fiercest beasts, including the coyote. Unlike the jaguar or eagle, however, the coyote also was (and still is) regarded as a trickster figure in Mesoamerican mythology, god of music and dance, called Huehuecoyotl in Nahuatl. These disembodied head forms may have served to remind the viewer of the popular headdresses that we know the Aztec wore ritually - carved statues show female and male warriors wearing avian, serpent, jaguar, and coyote headdresses. Diego Rivera even painted some of these coyote-headed warriors in his mural "The Epic of the Mexican People" (1929-1935), in the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Beverly Hills, California, USA, acquired from 1970 to 2008
  
  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.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #161445

  Condition

  Collection label on base. Repaired from several pieces with restoration over break lines. Expected light abrasions and scratches commensurate with age. A few char marks to exterior. Otherwise, excellent with wonderful remaining pigments and light earthen deposits in areas.
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