Pre-Columbian, Ecuador, Jama Coaque, ca. 300 BCE to 400 CE. A hand built and beautifully painted hollow pottery avian effigy with an impressive crest, a curved parrot-like beak, pronounced talons, and a pair of wings that resolve in finely incised tailfeathers. The bird boasts an intricately composed crest comprised of coiled forms and incised markings and dons an ornate, multi-strand necklace, all painted in attractive hues of robin blue and sunset orange. In the Pre-Columbian world, birds were regarded as metapors for the sun, models for hunters and warriors given their strong talons, acuity, and speed, and ideal communicators with the celestial gods. Parrots, in fact, were believed to be sacred incarnations of sky deities. Beyond this rich symbolism, the aesthetic quality of this piece is absolutely breathtaking. Size: 4.75" L x 3.75" W x 4.625" H (12.1 cm x 9.5 cm x 11.7 cm)

Provenance: Ex- Private Michigan collectiona cquired at auction

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#112896

Couple of old chips - tail and crest, else near choice