A Colima Parrot-Legged Gadrooned Vessel West Mexico, c. 200 BCE–200 CE Finely sculpted hollow ceramic covered with a rich red burnished slip, the gourd shaped vessel has a broad, rounded body articulated by sharply defined vertical gadroons radiating from the short flaring neck. Three fully modeled parrots are incorporated into the lower body as supports, each with a carefully detailed head and long body descending to the ground. Their legs and feet clasp the sides of the vessel, creating the striking impression that the birds are physically carrying or supporting the swelling gourd. The combination of deeply modeled ribs, brilliant burnish, large size, and fully integrated avian supports makes this an unusually accomplished example of Colima ceramic design. The parrots are not simply applied ornaments but active structural elements, transforming the vessel into a remarkably unified sculptural composition. With its taut ribbing, luminous surface, and three vividly modeled birds seemingly bearing the vessel aloft, this is an exceptionally inventive and commanding example of Colima ceramic art. In good condition. Reassembled from approximately six or seven large sections, with joins visible on the interior. The tail of one parrot has been reattached and another restored at the tip. Restoration is also present at the flaring rim of the spout and in several smaller areas of the surface, all visible under ultraviolet light. Scattered small black manganese deposits. Provenance: Collection of Walter Knox, Scottsdale, AZ Collection of Walter Crawford Collection of Bill Freeman Width: 13 ½ inches HID03101062020 © 2026 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved www.HA.com/TexasAuctioneerLicenseNotice

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