Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A splendid and sizable pottery jar presenting a unique, carinated form with a narrow, planar base and impressively thin walls that dramatically spread outwards to a wide hip, a gently slanted shoulder, a brief, slender neck, and a flared rim. A rich hued slip of burnt sienna envelops the entirety of the ancient vessel, while 2 horizontal rows of incised dots line the top of the shoulder edge. Note the black manganese deposits that speckle the surface - lovely evidence of centuries spent buried deep within the earth! Size: 11.6" Diameter x 6.5" H (29.5 cm x 16.5 cm)
Colima, located on Mexico's southwestern coast, was during this time part of the shaft tomb culture, along with neighbors to the north in Jalisco and Nayarit. In this culture, the deceased were buried down shafts - ranging from 3 to 20 meters deep - that were dug vertically or near vertically through the volcanic tuff that makes up the geology of the region. The base of the shaft would open into one or more horizontal chambers with a low ceiling. These shafts were almost always dug beneath a dwelling, probably a family home, and seem to have been used as family mausoleums, housing the remains of many related individuals. Vessels like this one were placed in the tombs in order to hold offerings.
Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, acquired 2020; ex-Burmudez Laurent Primitive Art, Berkelry, California, USA
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#170508
Condition
Repaired from several pieces with restoration over some break lines and others visible in areas. Restoration to some areas of rim and shoulder. Chipping to rim. Expected nicks, pitting, and abrasions throughout. Otherwise, excellent with nice mineral deposits to exterior.