Zapotec Pottery Seated God Cocijo Vessel, TL Tested

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Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art

By Artemis Gallery

May 18, 2023

Set Reminder 2023-05-18 10:00:00 2023-05-18 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-asian-ethnographic-art-12797
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• Lot Description
  Pre-Columbian, Mexico, Oaxaca, Zapotec culture, Monte Alban III, ca. 600 to 800 CE. A magnificent ceramic vessel in the form of a seated god, Cocijo or Cociyo, the god of rain and lightning, wearing an elaborate face mask headdress with scrawling curvilinear details and radiating plumes. Sitting cross-legged with hands resting on knees, the ancient deity is adorned with enormous ear spools, a broad collar with shoulder ornamentation and a massive pectoral. Cocijo's power is symbolized in his attire with various elements of his headdress and garb denoting his authority over the sky and weather. His traditional 'C' glyph is shown over his head. Faint traces of original red pigmentation are visible across the surface of this wonderful example. Size: 10.5" W x 13.2" H (26.7 cm x 33.5 cm)
  
  Monte Alban, a city inhabited for over 1,000 years before abandonment centuries before the arrival of the Spanish, was a regional power that dominated much of the modern-day state of Oaxaca and interacted with other Mesoamerican city-states like Teotihuacan to its north. Many cultures at this time were producing ceremonial incensarios (censers) like this example, but those in particular from Monte Alban were often so anthropomorphized that, from the front, they are difficult to tell from sculpture. This is in strong contrast to incensarios at Teotihuacan, which were highly abstract. Figural censers have been excavated from Monte Alban's high-status tombs, where it seems they were placed to leave offerings for the dead.
  
  Cf. Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College, 166.28.16034 and Gilcrease Museum, 54.7748.
  
  This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.
  
  Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.
  
  Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection; ex- Chiswick Auction, London, England, November 19, 2019, Lot 214
  
  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.
  
  #170795

  Condition

  Repaired with restoration. Break lines visible on legs and pectoral. Minor losses to tip of nose and chipping to surface. Expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with impressively preserved detail. TL holes to base and verso of center and proper right side of headdress.
• Shipping Info

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