Rare Mississippian Pottery Male Effigy Vessel w/ TL

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Pre-Columbian / Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

Jan 24, 2019

Set Reminder 2019-01-24 10:00:00 2019-01-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Pre-Columbian / Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/pre-columbian-ethnographic-art-3814
Featuring ancient and ethnographic art from around the world, including Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Ethnographic, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, Fine Art, much more. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

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• Lot Description
  North America, purportedly found in Missouri, Mississippian period, ca. 1200 CE. A handsome figural vessel, made of low-fired ceramic, in the form of a crouching/kneeling man, with visible genitalia and an abstract head that juts forward from the neck of the vessel. The long, thin arms wrap around the body, one resting on a knee, the other on a shoulder. The face is roughly triangular, coming to a gentle point at the chin and beside the eyes, with an incised line just above the eyes that may indicate a hairline. The eyes have heavy lids and are deeply incised; they may once have had inlays of shell, stone, or some other material. The mouth is open as if in conversation. Stippling around the neck suggests a cowl or other item of clothing; the figure appears to be otherwise nude. An orange-red pigment covers much of the figure. Size: 4.65" W x 9.15" H (11.8 cm x 23.2 cm)
  
  Human effigy vessels represent the culmination of hundreds of years of Mississippian art, of creating stronger pottery using temper, discovering how to fire it, and creating pigments. These vessels follow a similar form: a kneeling human figure, often female (males like this one are rare), and with a pronounced, hunched back. Some researchers have speculated that this is because people with that condition had a special role in society - they were considered magical or shamanic, for example. Others point out that it may be a practical consideration, with the shape of the vessel requiring a slightly hunched back in order to increase liquid capacity. Whatever their meaning, these vessels were placed into tombs inside mounds, probably containing offerings.
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
  
  Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
  
  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.
  
  We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
  
  #141745

  Condition

  Repaired from multiple pieces, with repair visible on the back of the vessel neck. Part of legs lost in two places. Otherwise in remarkable condition for such a rare item.
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