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Lot 86A: Vera Cruz Polychrome Olla - Sitting Lady, TL Tested

Est: $2,800 USD - $4,200 USDPassed
Artemis GalleryLouisville, CO, USJanuary 24, 2019

Item Overview

Description

Pre-Columbian, Gulf Coast Mexico, Veracruz, ca. 3rd to 7th century CE. A gorgeous, hand-built pottery olla comprised of a planar base, tall walls, a frontal anthropomorphic design, a deep interior cavity, and a thin rim. A finely-modeled female figure is displayed seated in front of the vessel, cross-legged with both hands on her knees, wearing a lengthy cream-hued robe while projecting her head forward as if she were reciting a story. Her expressive visage is comprised of almond-shaped eyes with painted pupils, a prominent nose, a smiling mouth, ears with ornate earspools, and a plaited, jet-black coiffure which is parted down the middle. Attached to her back is a glazed, crimson-painted vessel with the exterior and most of the interior colored with pigment. This highly-burnished vessel is a unique and rather exceptional example from the ancient Vera Cruz culture! Size: 6" L x 4" W x 4.75" H (15.2 cm x 10.2 cm x 12.1 cm).

Excavations near Vera Cruz archaeological sites have revealed two types of impressive, detailed pottery figures: the Sonrientes, the joyous "smiling faces" depicting people of all ages and sexes, and figures like this one, more serious, often adult females, with costumes, themes, and sometimes props that all seem to point towards religious or political ceremonies. These figures are frequently found with the bodies smashed into pieces and the heads largely intact - they were ritually destroyed as burial offerings.

What is the meaning of this particular fabulous vessel? Much of the religious practice of this culture and others in Mesoamerica involved shamans/priests entering an altered mental state, often through the use of strong alcohol or hallucinogenic drugs. Once in that trance-like state, they would become someone different. The wide eyes and startled expression of the figure suggest that this is a depiction of a religious trance.

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-private T. Misenhimer collection, Hollywood, California, USA

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.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#132621

Artist or Maker

Condition Report

Loss to portion of one earspool and one foot restored invisibly. Surface wear commensurate with age, with small nicks to figure's body, head, and cup body. Light abrasions and fading to painted details, otherwise excellent. Light earthen deposits and nice root marks throughout.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Auction Details

Pre-Columbian / Ethnographic Art

by
Artemis Gallery
January 24, 2019, 07:00 AM PST

686 S. Taylor Ave., #108, Louisville, CO, 80027, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

24.5%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$299$25
$300$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,500
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000+$20,000

Antiquities, Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art

Please read the following "Terms of Sale" carefully. These terms are applicable to all bidders in this auction, collectors and dealers alike.

1. All items in this auction have been legally acquired, are legal to sell, and guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

2. By bidding in this auction, the bidder personally guarantees payment. The auctioneer has final discretion in all matters. In case of dispute, the lot(s) in question may be resold. Lots will be sold in their numerical sequence unless the auctioneer directs otherwise.

3. HIGH and LOW ESTIMATES are provided for each lot for reference only. All lots will be offered without any hidden / confidential reserve, meaning the highest bidder wins.

4. No lots will be released / shipped until payment has been made in full. Payment (in U.S. funds) may be made via personal check or money order, via credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AMEX), PayPal or Bank Wire Transfer. For PayPal payments please use "artemisgallery@gmail.com" email address for processing payments.

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In the event of an error in item description, condition report, provenance, or dimensions, written notification of the error must be given within two business days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data. A full refund, including item price, buyer's premium (if applicable), and shipping costs will be provided. Artemis Gallery will either provide a pre-paid return shipping label or will reimburse the return shipping charge. Artemis Gallery will only remit refund after the item has been returned.

If a return is requested for any reason other than the above, written notification with reason for return must be given within 15 days from receipt of the item as shown by FedEx, UPS, or USPS tracking data for Artemis Gallery to issue a refund to the original payment method. If notification is given after 15 days, the item may be returned for credit toward a future purchase or may be consigned for sale through Artemis Gallery. The item must be returned to Artemis Gallery at the buyer's expense and a refund or credit of the item price and buyer's premium (if applicable) will be provided after the item is returned. Original shipping charges will not be refunded.

All items to be returned must be adequately insured and must be received by Artemis Gallery in the same condition as when shipped. In no event may any item be returned after 90 days from the date of delivery.

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**For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**

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11. If the auction invoice is not paid for in full when due per invoice terms, including any applicable credit card processing fees, the unpaid balance will bear interest at the highest rate permitted by law until paid in full. If the matter is referred to an attorney for collection, bidder agrees to pay all reasonable attorney fees, court costs and other collection cost incurred by Artemis Gallery to collect past due invoices and that the services of process by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, shall be sufficient to confer "in personam" jurisdiction over bidder.

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13. QUESTIONS? Feel free to email us at info@artemisgallery.com with questions prior to bidding or feel free to call us at 720-890-7700. Please be sure to ask all questions at least 30 minutes prior to auction start time, as we will not be able to take calls or answer emails sent to us during the auction.

Shipping Terms

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense