* * *
5086. A RARE VALDIVIA STONE HACHA. Ecuador, ca. 3000 BC. The large stone blade-shaped idol finely carved and polished to a thin profile. 6.25 x 11 inches. Choice large example and rare very early South American artifact. On custom stand.
5087. A CHORRERA BURNISHED SPHERICAL POT. Peru, ca. 1800-300 BC. The spherical vessel with high thin neck and strap handle. 6.75 x 8.25 inches. Neck neatly reattached. Chorrera pieces are quite early and rare and of fine construction and always command a premium.
5088. A PAIR OF RARE CHORRERA FIGURES. Peru, ca. 1800-300 BC. The matching female figures with hands clasping their breasts. The heads and legs with burnished red glaze. 2.8 inches. Quite rare early figures. On custom stand.
5089. AN EXCEPTIONAL LARGE CALIMA 'GOURD' VESSEL, ca. 300-1300AD. The large burnished and red-glazed vessel of 'flying saucer' form. 6 x 12.75 inches. Intact, an impressive and beautiful piece. On acrylic ring stand.
5090. A CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA STAMP SEAL. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seal with incised Death's Head pattern with projecting handle at rear. 2.5 inches. Choice example. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5091. A CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA STAMP SEAL. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seal with incised whorl pattern with projecting handle at rear, remains of red cinnabar in incisions. 2.4 inches. Nice example. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5092. A CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA STAMP SEAL. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seal with incised stair step pattern with projecting handle at rear. 2.25 inches. Nice example. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5093. A PAIR OF CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA STAMP SEALS. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seals with incised lozenge patterns with projecting handles at rear, one with much 'Aztec blue' pigment (somewhat brighter than image shows). 3.25 inches. Nice examples. Rare especially with blue pigment. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5094. THREE CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA STAMP SEALS. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seals with incised feather fan patterns with projecting handle at rear, the central one with an eagle's head at bottom. To 3.5 inches. Nice examples. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5095. A CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA ROLLER SEAL. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seal with incised step, comb and other patterns, remains of encrusted soil in incisions. 2.6 inches. Chip at top but nice. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5096. A LARGE CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA ROLLER SEAL. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seal with complex flowing circular pattern, serpent's head, etc. Remains of encrusted soil in incisions. 1.3 x 2.8 inches. Chips on ends but a better type. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5097. TWO CALIMA/TUMACO-LA TOLITA ROLLER SEALS. Columbia/Ecuador ca. 300 BC. The seals with complex incised flowing patterns. Larger is 3 inches. Small chip on end of larger but both nice. Rare. See 'Tumaco', by Yves Sabolo, p. 147 for the type. On custom stand.
5098. A TUMACO-LA TOLITA POTTERY STIRRUP VESSEL, ca. 300 BC. The vessel with twin spouts bridged by the stirrup handle, a molded figure on the front. 5 x 5 inches. These vessels are quite scarce.
5099. A JAMACOQUE DIGNITARY, ca. 500 AD. The high status figure wearing especially elaborate ear ornaments. 6.2 inches. Protrusions on reverse lost.
5100. A JAMACOQUE SHAMANIC JAGUAR WITH HUMAN FACE, ca. 500 AD. The figure thought to represent Shamanic transformation. 7 inches. Chips to two legs.
5101. A JAMACOQUE PAN PIPER, ca. 500 AD. The piper holding his pipes to his mouth with both hands. 4.75 inches. On custom stand.
5102. AN EXCEPTIONAL LARGE MOCHE ANTHROPOMORPHIC VESSEL. Peru, ca. 500-700 AD. The figure is that of Ai-Apec, the fanged warrior god, who holds a tumi knife in one hand and a severed head in the other. 10.5 x 14.3 x 7.5 inches. Intact, the lower part of the reverse surface eroded but intact and strong. Such large vessels are quite rare for Moche pieces. Ex. the Allan Caplan collection, ex. Sotheby's with old Sotheby's tag on bottom.
5103. A FINE MOCHE STIRRUP VESSEL, Phase IV to V, Ca. 600 AD. Whimsical molded and
painted stirrup vessel in the form of a rider facing the wrong way on his llama.
Since these vessels contained a strong distilled corn-beer, the message is that
if you drink too much, you could end up like this fellow! 9-1/4"H. Riders nose
professionally restored. Rare and classic type.
5104. MOCHE FIGURAL STIRRUP VESSEL, ca. 500 to 700 AD. Squarish body with
seated figure atop wearing four cornered hat and large ear spools. Stirrup nicely
decorated in red and tan patterns with rabbit-like creatures painted on side of
vessel. 7-1/2"H. Provenance: Indiana Estate. Condition: Excellent.
5105. LAMBAYEQUE POTTERY VESSEL WITH MONKEYS, ca. 900 AD. Well painted with Deity
holding tumi knife in front panel and two cute molded monkeys with nice smiles on either side
of conical spout. 6-3/8"H. Intact and choice.
5106. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA OWL. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The Classic style Sinu owl with wide body and broad feathered feet. 7.5 inches. Tiny chips on feet. Very rare. On custom stand.
5107. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA ANIMAL. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The uncertain animal perhaps a deer with wide body and head turned to the right. 5 inches.
5108. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips. 5.5 inches. Intact. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare. On custom stand.
5109. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips. 5.25 inches. Intact. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare. On custom stand.
5110. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips (arms missing in this example). 5.25 inches. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare.
5111. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips. 7.75 inches. Minor chips. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare.
5112. A RARE SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips. 6.7 inches. Intact. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare. Choice example with clay spheres for eye pupils and additional incised detailing, and rattles inside.
5113. A RARE LARGER SINU TERRACOTTA FIGURE. Columbia, ca. 600-1200 AD. The female fertility figure with typical wide thighs and head and arms to hips. 8.75 inches. Repair to arms and top of head. See Labbe, Columbia Before Columbus, #93 and back cover for the general type. Rare.
5114. A LARGE TAIRONA HUMANOID ANIMAL VESSEL, ca. 800-1500 AD. The large animal form vessel with spout in the form of a human head. 12 x 13 inches. Hind leg and tail section repaired. Rare.
5115. A TAIRONA 'FISH' GRATER, ca. 800-1500 AD. The terrracotta grater in the form of a fish with rough grating ridges. 12 inches. Rare. Repair through middle. On custom stand.
5116. A TAIRONA 'FISH' GRATER, ca. 800-1500 AD. The terrracotta grater in the form of a fish with rough grating ridges. 11.5 inches. Rare and intact. On custom stand.
5117. A CHOICE NARINO JADE BIRD AMULET. Columbia, Capuli Complex, 850-1500 AD. The highly polished green jade carved in the form of a bird with twin drilled attachment holes, the carving taking advantage of natural color variation on the wing. 2.75 inches. Very rare, beautiful and choice.
5118. A NARINO CANTEEN FLASK. Columbia, Capuli Complex, 850-1500 AD. The wax resist painted vessel with two small loop handles next to the neck for carrying cord. 5.5 x 7.5 inches. Scarce type. On custom stand.
5119. A LARGE JALISCO MALE FIGURE. Jalisco, West Mexico, ca. 300 AD. The large high status figure seated on bench with arms to hips. 8.5 x 17 x 8.5 inches. Professional repair. Large and impressive example.
5120. AN IMPORTANT MAYAN MARBLE BALL PLAYERS YOKE. Veru Cruz, ca. 600-900 AD. Choice example of the classic horseshoe shaped ball player hip guard with bold, deeply carved animal face in front, the body and legs extending around the sides in bas relief. 15 x 17 x 5 inches. 50 lbs. Considerable remains of red cinnabar in the incised areas. The surface lightly covered in calcified patina with numerous root marks attesting authenticity. Ex. old New York private collection. An excessively rare museum quality artifact and one of the most prized and sought after pre-Columbian antiquities. The ballgame was played with a solid rubber ball about 8 inches in diameter. As in modern soccer the ball could not be touched by the hands but was controlled by contact by padding on various parts of the body. At midbody the players wore thick heavy deflectors called yokes that were the most important instrument used to control and direct the ball. The object of the game was to direct the ball through a stone ring set vertically into the ballcourt wall. Play was life or death as the losers were sacrificed to the gods. See eg. 'The Blood of Kings', Schele & Miller, pps. 241-263 for an in depth discussion of the ball game with illustrations. See also a similar example in the Museum of Natural History Collection, New York City. See also Sotheby's 'Important Pre-Columbian Art, May 12/13, 1983, lot 24, for another example estimated at $50,000-$60,000. Our estimate:
5121. A LARGE VERA CRUZ INCENSARIO. Remojadas, ca. 600-900 AD. Buff terracotta vessel on openwork base with rounded bowl atop. At front is a large human head wearing squared headdress with red band across, the face triangular with pointed ear ornaments and a rope textured necklace and bib below. 10 x 11.5 x 12.75 inches. Repaired from large shards.
5122. A FINE VERA CRUZ HEAD. Mexico, Remojadas, Late Classic, ca. 550-950 AD. The Soriente head with a joyful smile, a molded monkey on his headdress. 5 x 5.5 inches. On custom stand. Nice.
5123. A FINE AND OLD IGALA HELMET MASK. Benue River, Nigeria, ca. 19th century. The large carved wood mask in a naturalistic style, with almond shaped eye slits, slender nose, lips and beard and round ears. The helmet cap with layered curved braids, long curving grooves in back coming forward under the ears, the rim pierced for attachments. Worn during yam festival ceremonies, the helmet represents the spirit of the dead. Dark polished patina and worm holes and some age cracks with repair to bottom rim indicating considerably greater age than most examples. 10 x 11 x 14 inches. Beautiful strong style. Very nice, large and impressive example.
