Seven Costa Rican Pottery Jars (Auction 2026-06-05, Lot 67)

$385.50

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Costa Rica, ca. 500 to 1500 CE. A lively and varied group of seven pottery vessels, their rounded forms and earthy tones reflecting the enduring ceramic traditions of ancient Costa Rica. The assemblage includes jars and small pitchers of differing scale, each hand-formed in terracotta with globular bodies, short necks, and flared or everted rims. Several examples feature loop handles or small lugs, while surfaces range from pale buff to rich red slips, now softened by age and burial accretions. Subtle irregularities and surface wear speak to their handmade character and long passage through time. Such vessels were used in daily life for storage and serving, and in some cases may have accompanied burials as offerings, reflecting their practical and cultural significance within Pre-Columbian society. Size of largest: 7.3″ Diameter x 5.4″ H (18.5 cm x 13.7 cm)

Provenance: private Colorado, USA collection, acquired from various auction houses

Condition: Weathering with nicks, chips, and abrasions as shown. Scattered earthen deposits throughout.