Colima Female Effigy Vessel - PF.1116,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 18.5" (47.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Female Effigy Vessel - PF.1116,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 18.5" (47.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Colima ceramics are famous for their beautiful light orange to deep red burnished slip, with black patina spotting the surface. Just as charming are the style and subject matter of the objects. This lovely vessel shows a figure who is human from the waist up and a gourd below. The breasts of the person protrude enough to suggest a female, though the face is more masculine. The arms are held tightly to the sides and appear to be bound by a series of bracelets around the middle portion, though these probably represent ornaments. He or she appears to be rising from the gourd, perhaps as a spirit or deity of the plant kingdom. The gourd itself is very nicely fashioned with delicate ridges and slightly varying coloration. Though mythical in conception there is something very endearing, and yet mysterious about this vessel. It is this contrast which makes an object a work of art, along with its purely aesthetic beauty.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Coiled Serpent - PF.1342,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 9.125" (23.2cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Coiled Serpent - PF.1342,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 3.25" (8.3cm) high x 9.125" (23.2cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. For far longer than memory records, man has been fascinated by the serpent. Sometimes feared, sometimes worshiped, the snake appears as a major protangonist in all the world's mythologies. In ancient Mexico, the snake (especially the desert rattler) was thought to have magical powers and contacts with the spirit world. With scales picked out by rough stippling, this coiled serpent radiates a latent energy, as if both he and we are aware of his lethal potential. His wide grin could be interpreted either as a sign of a benevolence or warning. Centuries have passed since this image was created, but it continues to exert a strong hold on our emotions, touching something very primal and mysterious.   « Less

Colima Figural Effigy Vessel - PF.2425,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Figural Effigy Vessel - PF.2425,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.125" (13.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. The state of Colima, located in the pacific coast region of West Mexico, supported a thriving ancient culture, which, between about 300 B.C. and 600 A.D., produced an exquisite array of ceramic art, ranging from the naturalistic rendering of human figures to the myriad plant and animal life found in the region. Included in this stunning repertoire are composite clay figures such as this combination man and bird. Standing on short tripod legs, an oval-bodied bird forms the bowl of the pot, while the vessel's spout is created form the avian’s upraised tail. A distinctive human head projects from the bird's body, complete with a cap held on by a chinstrap. An artistic combination on incised patterns appears on both the figure's head cap and body, further enhancing the vessel's otherworldly qualities. These abstracted designs, some hinting at the shape of avian wings, give this vessel a rhythmic feeling as well, not unlike the age-old mystical motion of birds in flight. The multiple facets of this Colima vessel truly mesmerize the viewer, affecting the senses in a most enchanting way.   « Less

Colima Terracotta Zoomorphic Vessel - PF.2446,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 9.25" (23.5cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Terracotta Zoomorphic Vessel - PF.2446,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 9.25" (23.5cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This stunning anthropomorphic vessel is an impressive example of the art of the Ancient Mexico--representative of an art that has today assumed a recognizable and valuable place in the history of world art. Created by artists in the western region of Mexico, under the shadow of the 13,000-foot-high volcano, 'Colima," this exquisite pot is in the stylized form of an animal. Colima artists were masters at modeling clay into shapes and forms that related intimately to the natural world around them, and here we see an animal whose body creatively forms the bowl of a vessel. While the animal's four legs support the vessel, a delightful head and tiny tail project from opposite ends of the pot. Finely etched geometric patterns wrap around the exterior portion of the bowl, adding a stimulating, tactile quality to the vessel. At the same time, the burnished interior surface creates an appealing visual element by softly reflecting the rays of light that touch the surface. Truly an extraordinary work of art, this anthropomorphic vessel most ardently expresses the Ancient Colima artists' supreme ability to combine form and function in a unique and pleasing fashion.   « Less

Colima Gourd-Shaped Vessel - PF.2477,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.875" (14.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Gourd-Shaped Vessel - PF.2477,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.875" (14.9cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Ancient Colima ceramics are characterized by the artists’ use of a wide variety of subjects, both abstract and natural. Craftsmen living in the western region of Mexico under the shadow of the 13,000 foot-high volcano ‘Colima,’ were highly adept at creating sculptural vessels full of a spirited energy and power equal to the subject they were portraying, whether it be man, animal or plant. Here we see an elegant vessel that has been fashioned to perhaps resemble the abstracted shape of a gourd. A knobby exterior surface on the vessel adds a delightfully tactile quality to the vessel, while at the same time; our visual senses are stimulated as we observe light softly reflecting off the shiny, uneven surface. A dramatic spout projects gracefully from one side of the vessel, further distinguishing this sculpture as a stunning representation of the artistry crafted by ancient artisans who were not only highly sensitive to their environment but equally imaginative in the portrayal of their subjects.   « Less

Colima Cylindrical Vessel with Spikes - PF.2478,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium:  More »

Colima Cylindrical Vessel with Spikes - PF.2478,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 100 BC to 250 AD,Dimensions: 5.75" (14.6cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Colima ceramics such as this fascinating vessel are characterized by the wide variety of subjects, both abstract and natural, that are represented. Crafted by artists living in the western region of Mexico near the 13,000foothigh volcano Colima, sculptures such as this vessel were created as a companion of the dead, accompanying the deceased on his or her long journey to the afterlife. Fashioned in the shape of a spiked drum, perhaps this vessel functioned as a rhythmical instrument, its mystical sound echoing forth when played by the spirit of the deceased. Whatever this vessels ancient purpose, the pulse of its ancient spirit continues to felt today, stimulating all of our senses.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of an Animal Head - PF.2763,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide,Collection:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of an Animal Head - PF.2763,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.25" (13.3cm) high x 7" (17.8cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. Common characteristics of Colima tomb pieces are the deeply burnished reds, browns and blacks of each works’ highly polished surface. This animal, a dog, features unusual horns, which cannot be explained, except to say that this animal head might have represented a spiritual deity. Dogs are represented throughout Ancient Mexico, as both evil as well as good entities. His friendly face suggests that he was indeed a friendly spirit, meant to take his owner safely into the afterworld. Head pots, such as this piece, were exclusive to Colima. Such a friendly presence would certainly liven up any home.   « Less

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Shaman's Head - PF.2858,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Vessel in the Form of a Shaman's Head - PF.2858,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 7" (17.8cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This unusual jar-like vessel has a striking presence. It holds a comical edge while also maintaining an element of the mystical. It's slight smile and slanted eyes allude to a sense of mischievousness. As a shaman figure, its exaggerated robustness suggests that the figure is so full of powers that it is nearly busting. Since this piece is a vessel, this fact may have been both spiritually and literally true. For this vessel may have been used to hold magic potions used in incantations and rituals. He has one horn that to channel energy form the gods. His ears have been pierced suggesting that the piece was once elaborately adorned. This piece captures the Pre-Columbian spirituality in both its sense of mysticism as well as its Universal humanistic appeal.   « Less

Colima Avian Feline Vessel - PF.2912,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 9.875" (25.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style:  More »

Colima Avian Feline Vessel - PF.2912,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 6.25" (15.9cm) high x 9.875" (25.1cm) wide,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. This beautifully burnished and red-slipped vessel emits the radiance of deep reddish- orange color on its smooth surface. Such skillfully finished vessel reveals the advanced burnishing and firing techniques used by the people of Ancient Colima. The beautiful vessel is also enhanced with surreal nine avian feline figures, which surround the vessel. Found from a shaft-tomb, this charming vessel was not only gracefully and lovingly decorated but it also had a ritualistic, spiritual significance as well as utilitarian function. Vessels such as this one was not just an item to put in a shaft-tomb but they held special, spiritual meaning. The nine small surreal figures that surround the beautiful vessel reveal such special significance. The figures seem to have bird-shaped bodies but their facial features resemble characteristics of a feline. In Ancient Meso-America both birds and felines, particularly jaguars, signified magical power-- they often symbolized gods. Like magical beings, birds roamed swiftly high in sky and jaguars ruled the ground with their ferocity and speed. Perhaps the artist who created this vessel wished to combine the power and religious significance of two animals. The figures, thus, are not a random choice but a very conscious decision to ascribe this vessel a special meaning, so that it could become a precious offering in a ritual. Just as the vessel itself reveals the careful sculpting and firing work, each figure shows how lovingly they were carved. Across time and culture, we can still feel the effort of the artist's to have his creation embody a very special meaning.   « Less

Colima Cylindrical Vessel - PF.2916,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta.  More »

Colima Cylindrical Vessel - PF.2916,Origin: Western Mexico,Circa: 300 BC to 300 AD,Dimensions: 5.5" (14.0cm) high,Collection: Pre-Columbian,Style: Colima,Medium: Terracotta. The effigy pottery from the ancient inhabitants of Colima is generally red-slipped, well fired, and polished, and tends to exhibit less abstraction than the art of neighboring groups in West Mexico. In addition to vessels in the shapes of humans and dogs, the artists of Colima also made simple, yet beautiful cylindrical vessels. The decoration of these containers seems to follow a pattern, as they generally feature one image, which is repeated (sometimes with slight variations) four times on the vessel's outside surface. Four coiled serpents have been carved in low relief on this piece, and snakes in other shapes are seen on the other vessels of this type. The common appearance of this animal on funerary items may indicate that it was a symbol associated with the underworld, as it was in Mayan mythology. Towards the end of the pre- classic period in Ancient Meso-America, the regions of Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco in Western Mexico became home to what has now been termed the 'Shaft-Tomb' culture. These people built tombs consisting of shafts 10-60 feet deep with several ovoid tombs branching either directly off of the main shaft at various levels, or connected to it by lateral tunnels. The burial offerings, which filled these tombs, have become our greatest link to this lost culture. The hollow pottery figures, which were commonly placed in the tomb chambers, show stylistic variations between regions, giving us glimpses into the cultural differences between these groups as well as the beliefs which they held in common.   « Less