Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. A fine set of 2 matching incensario lids, each hand-built from red-hued pottery, depicting an abstract zoomorphic creature similar to an armadillo. Each creature stands atop a quartet of nubbin legs and a perky tail as well as a rounded back surmounted by a ring-shaped handle. The larger lid has a serrated fringe panel lining the lateral portions of the abdomen, and the smaller has more visible white linear motifs painted on top. Each raised head exhibits a pair of perky ears, incised circular eyes, and a tapered snout. Lids like these would be placed atop incensarios to direct the smoke and keep embers from flying about. Size of largest: 5.1" L x 4.125" W x 3.875" H (13 cm x 10.5 cm x 9.8 cm)

Provenance: private Kansas, USA collection, acquired via descent from family in Jalisco, Mexico ca. the 1940s, and imported into the US in the 1970s and 1980s

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#171497

Repair to proper left side of larger lid, and repair to proper back-right foot of smaller lid, both with adhesive residue along break lines. Each piece has light abrasions, encrustations, softening to finer details, and fading to pigment. Nice earthen deposits throughout and great root marks beneath bodies.