This is a handsome Chorrera manioc whistling vessel that stands on three tear-shaped legs. They may be manioc tubers, or perhaps sweet potatoes, with a bridge handle on top in the form of an extended monkey. Traditional Chorrera geometric markings decorate the vessel’s legs. The cream-colored terracotta item whistles through the spout. It has been reassembled from large sections with restorations over the break lines. It’s a beautiful stand-alone piece.
Chorrera, Ecuador. 1000-500BC. Over 7″ in height.
Provenance: Ex-Fernandez Leventhal Gallery, NY
Price: 1,250.
These are enigmatic stone artifacts from La Plata Island, Ecuador -Bahia Phase. They are perforated rectangular blocks and feature a multitude of engraved center rings and dot ornamentation throughout the stone’s surface. Each stone has a particular set of quantity, and sized circles shared equally on all four sides. The perforations are started from the ends and meet in the middle, tapering from the center towards the corners. As for suspension, no evidence is seen of use on the edges of the holes. Their use is still unknown. However, several hypotheses are that they could have been used for navigation aids, games or possibly as spindles. These types of stones finds have been restricted to a ceremonial center at the Isla de la Plata site in Ecuador. They are volcanic tuff and grayish-white in color. Bahia Phase ca. 300 B.C. – 500 A.D. The largest measures 2.5”/6.35 cm in length. These are ultra-rare specimens. Choice.
Similar examples are shown in very limited published works: “Archaeological Investigations on the Island of La Plata, Ecuador” by George A. Dorsey and “Ecuador” by Betty J. Meggers, pg.88.
Provenance: Ex – Mann collection. Acquired 1970’s
Price – $3,800
An extraordinary pair of charming Jamacoaque Rowing Figurines. They rarely appear on the open market. Both are poised skillfully in a stand-up paddling position. They wear an oversized loincloth, a wraparound headdress, large ear and nose ornaments, and lovely remaining yellow, red, and white pigments.
Small repairs with minor loss; otherwise, they are in excellent condition. Measures 4.5”/11.43 cm. Manabi, Ecuador 600 BC – 500 AD.
The only known examples, probably made by the same hand, are exhibited at the Museo Antropologico y de Arte Contemporaneo in Guayaquil, Ecuador. – Last image shown.
Provenance: Ex-Morales, FL Acquired by inheritance 1970’s
Price – $1,890
These are important ancestral stone idols from the Bahia culture of Ecuador. Ca. 500-500 A.D. Curved tusk-like shape with anthropomorphic features incised on the front. Faces have ovoid eyes, mouths, and a parallel-sided nose. Horizontal band(s) on top of the head depict crowns. Long, slender arms are to their sides, and their hands are slightly elevated to the chest in a praying state. Found both on the Island of La Plata and in habitation sites in Manabi. By contrast, Valdivian flat plaques (Palmer Stone) are similar but lack the distinctive rounded, tusk-like shape. Very Rare
Measures: Left – 6.5”/16.51 cm. Price $2,850
Middle – 6.0”/15.24 cm. Price $2,850
Right – 7.3”/18.41 cm. Price $2,750
These unique figurines were deposited in small clusters and buried upright in small shallow holes exposing only their heads. Indication of offerings or part of some ritual. They are limited to be found within the borders of modern Ecuador as none are known from Peru or Colombia. Many ceramic figurines within the Regional Development Period are clearly depicted wearing or holding tusk-shaped figurines around the neck or held in the hands.
Ref: Pia Hahn, Institute of Archaeology; Dorse, Field Museum; Ecuador, Betty J. Meggers.
Similar examples are shown in Charms in pre-Columbian Ecuador pg 40.; Amerindian Signs pg 96, plate 59;
Pre-Columbian Art of South America by Alan Lapiner, pg 449, plate 739
In the ancient Americas, skilled craftspeople made luxurious goods restricted for the right and the entitled. Their culture crafted these prized objects for ritual and regalia, using their most valued materials. Jade, rather than gold, was the most precious substance to the Olmecs and the Maya in Mesoamerica, and the Incas and their predecessors in the Andes valued feathers and textiles above all.
This is a beautiful Nazca Plume. Orange-colored parrot feathers braided with vegetable fiber. Completely intact, all original. When found in their original context, they were parts of headdresses or were placed on the head of the deceased. It is also possible that such ornaments were worn by priests and higher dignitaries and used in other ways or had other functions. Measures 10”/25.4 cm by 9”/22.86 cm. South coast, Nazca. Ca. 100 – 700 A.D.
Condition: Very Fine
Comes in a front loading table glass display case approx. 14”/35.56 cm square.
Jamacoaque Copper Nose Ornaments
A rare set of Jamacoaque copper nose ornaments. These items are unique and seldom exhibited. They are made of solid copper and are very heavy. They have an excellent green patina on all three. The largest shows evidence of original gold plating. Manabi region, Ecuador. 500 BC – 500AD. Condition is Choice.
The sizes are 25mm wide, 22mm tall, 20mm thick, 68.8g; 22mm wide, 21mm tall, 15mm thick, 33.5g; and 18mm wide, 15mm tall, 8mm thick, 10g.
The Jamacoaque civilization mastered the art of metallurgy and had a thorough knowledge of alloy production, notably a well-developed alloy of copper and arsenic. They were also well-versed in the process of gold plating.
The method employed for casting metal was placing it in a ceramic crucible and heating it using wood charcoal as fuel. Air was blown into the kiln with a bamboo tube until the temperature reached 1100ºC, sufficient to melt gold or copper.
They come beautifully mounted on a modern table display. 5″ in height.
Price – $850
An elegant and naturalistic Chone-style Jamacoaque figurine. This individual sits on his buttocks, knees bent in front. He holds a round poporo (lime pot) in one hand and a spatula or tusk-shaped object in the other. He wears a cloak over his chest and a long headdress. The graceful flaps behind the ears of the figure on this vessel may refer to bird-men. Meticulously applied appliquéd fringes over his apparel. He also wears earrings, a large nose ring, and a chin piece. Remnants of pale green pigment are still present. A minimal surface restoration was performed on the back, with several appliqués reattached to the front. There are excellent deposits throughout. This figural served as a tomb guardian amidst other offerings that would have accompanied the dead in burial. The mythical attributes of the costume are symbols in a communication system between humans and deities in life and death. Manabi region, Ecuador. 500 B.C. – 500 A.D. Measures 8.5” / 21.59 cm in height. This piece is an excellent example of the Jamacoaque creativity and quality.
Provenance: Ex-Fernandez Leventhal Gallery, NY 1980s
Price: 2,850.
A gorgeous large white Parrot from La Tolita culture, Ecuador. As with most clay pottery from this culture, the detail and realism are always striking. This bird sculpture is sitting on top of a domed base posed with its head turned, preening its feathers. Nice incised detail over head and body. Made using a volcanic grainy clay deposited during the 467 BC Palulahua eruption. Reassembled and restored. Esmeraldas region. 300 BC-100 AD. Measures an impressive 9″ in length.
Stand provided and ready for display.
Price – $850
A realistic larger example of a warrior or priest with fine details. Almond eyes, naturalistic nose, and cheeks with coca. Ornate ear spool remains. The Tumaco culture of Colombia developed in conjunction with the neighboring La Tolita culture in Ecuador, and the artifacts of both cultures are oftentimes so similar that distinctions are impossible. Both societies revolved around an economy based on fishing, maize growth, and gold, the latter of which was readily found in the rivers in pre-Columbian times. Much like Moche art, La Tolita / Tumaco artistry focused on representations of people in a realistic fashion, showing them in a wide variety of conditions and contexts. Esmeraldas region, Ecuador. Fragmentary Large piece.
Head measures 5.5″ H, 7.5″ on provided stand.
Price – $850
A lovely anthropomorphic jar from El Angel, Carchi Province of Ecuador. Its double-body form is simple yet captivating. Thin wall, buff, semi-burnished surface treatment. Delicate facial features with incised criss-cross patterns on cheeks. Nice dendrite deposits throughout the vessel. Very rare piece from the Northern Sierra region of the Andes. 800-1200 AD. Choice condition.
Measures 6″ 15.24cm.
Perfectly sized to display on a mantle or shelf.
Price – $645