Vera Cruz Pottery Vessel of Elder Shaman - ex-Hollywood

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Fine Ethnographic / Asian / Ancient Art

By Artemis Gallery

May 10, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-05-10 10:00:00 2018-05-10 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Fine Ethnographic / Asian / Ancient Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-ethnographic-asian-ancient-art-3213
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast Mexico, Vera Cruz, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. An expressive and unusual burnished ceramic figural vessel depicting a male elder. The figure is seated with outspread legs and delineated genitalia, hunched over with both hands on his knees, and an incised navel in the middle of his torso. The man's wrinkled and emaciated face denotes his advanced age, emphasized with an umber pigment. In addition, coffee-bean-shaped eyes, a prominent nose, pierced ears, jutting jaw, and gaping mouth comprise his striking countenance. The verso takes the form of a hollow, spouted cup, with the interior of the figure serving as the container for liquids or other materials. The seated position and pensive visage of the man indicates his engagement in a spiritual vision quest, and this vessel perhaps contained substances of shamanic importance. With meticulous attention to detail and unimpeachable character, this is a fascinating example from the ancients of Vera Cruz! Size: 5.5" W x 8.25" H (14 cm x 21 cm).
  
  What is the meaning of this particularly-fabulous vessel? Much of the religious practice of this culture and others in Mesoamerica involved shamans/priests entering an altered mental state, often through the use of strong alcohol or hallucinogenic drugs. Once in that trance-like state, they would become someone entirely different. Typical depictions of such entranced figures include wide eyes, startled expressions, and relaxed poses which indicate their conscious disassociation with their physical surroundings as well as the movements of their body. This example, however, does not demonstrate as exaggerated features as the younger individuals portrayed on similar objects. Perhaps, this figure, being that of a village elder, has likely experienced far-greater numbers of such hallucinogenic trances and is therefore able to maintain a more naturalistic pose when experiencing the transcendental visions so commonly depicted in ancient Pre-Columbian artifacts.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Hollywood, California, USA, famous Hollywood film producer
  
  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.
  
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  #133788

  Condition

  Vessel and figure repaired from multiple pieces with some restoration, overpainting, and resurfacing along break lines. Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age as shown, fading and light discoloration to pigmentation, with small nicks to feet, arms, head, and vessel rim. Nice earthen deposits throughout.
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