Pre-Columbian, Colombia, Calima people, ca. 100 BCE to 800 CE. A seated figure vessel in the form of a male with his hands on his knees and a basket - forming the vessel portion of the figure - on his back. The man's body is highly detailed, with geometric designs over his chest and stomach that may represent clothing or possibly tattooing or scarification. His hair hangs straight in a bowl cut that Ringo Star would be proud of, lovingly made of incised detail. His pierced ears probably once had gold earrings; his mouth and eyes are open and hollow and perhaps had inlaid designs at one point. The Calima people lived in the southwestern highlands by the Caribbean coast, and are famous for their goldwork, but they also produced charming pottery figures like this one. See a very similar example at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Size: 2.6" L x 2.5" W x 4" H (6.6 cm x 6.4 cm x 10.2 cm)

Provenance: ex-Americas Artifacts, Roswell, GA, USA; Ex-Private Georgia Collection; Ex-Steve Kramer, acquired 1970s through early 1980s.

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#117918

Tiny area of repair at top/back of basket. Manganese staining overall.