3 Pre-Columbian Animal Effigy Tripod Pottery Vessels (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 77)

$449.75

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Atlantic Watershed, ca. 1 to 1000 CE; Panama, Gran Chiriqui, ca. 800 to 1200 CE; Mexico, Mixtec, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. A characterful group of three pre-Columbian pottery tripod vessels representing distinct ceramic traditions across ancient Mesoamerica and Lower Central America. The smallest, from the Atlantic Watershed of Costa Rica, is a compact redware trumpet-necked vessel on three sturdy columnar legs enlivened with applied floral and scroll ornament. The tallest, a Panamanian Gran Chiriqui example, presents a flared cup elevated on three long tapering legs with incised geometric decoration, all three functioning as hollow rattles that would have animated ritual use with sound as well as form. Size of largest (blackware): 6″ Diameter x 3″ H (15.2 cm x 7.6 cm)

The largest, a Mixtec bowl of burnished dark gray-black ware, rides on three substantial zoomorphic rattle legs, one of which retains its rattle function, its wide shallow interior and confident proportions reflecting the refined sensibility of one of ancient Mexico’s most accomplished ceramic traditions. Spanning highland Mexico to the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica, the three vessels offer a compact survey of the tripod form as interpreted across three cultures, three centuries, and three very different aesthetic temperaments.

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection; ex-private Los Angeles, California, USA collection; ex-major gallery, Beverly Hills, California, USA, primarily acquired between 1985 and 2005

Condition: Largest has losses to feet. Two larger have been repaired with break lines visible. Most petite has been professionally repaired with restoration over break lines. All have nice presentationw and scattered earthen deposits.