Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Gran Cocle culture, ca. 800-1000 CE. This stunning pedestal frutero hails from the Gran Cocle Pre-Columbian kingdom of Central America or present-day Cocle province. It features artistic renderings of the Conte/Macaracas style of pottery known for its innovative introduction of purple to the artist's palette whereas earlier paint styles were limited to red, black, cream, or white. The piece boasts a magnificent painted design program. The composition on the plate is organized into quadrants, each inhabited by a boldly delineated saurian form - a birdlike/dragon/crocodile/amphibian creature painted in black on cream ground. The figure's tails become thicker and are filled with purple and red pigments. These tails serve to provide colorful borders for the four quadrants of the design. The artistry of the Cocle rivals that of the finest ancient art masters! 4.75"W x 10.25"H (12.07 W x 26.04 H cm)

Provenance: Ex-Private Durango, CO collection

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.

Re-assembled from about a dozen pieces, with losses, as shown. Replete with root markings and manganese blooms. Worthy of restoration.