Nicoya Polychrome Hunchback Figure with Open Hump

拍品描述

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Greater Nicoya, Nicoya Polychrome, ca. 800–1350 CE. A hollow pottery figure of a hunchback, shown seated with his legs stretched forward and both forearms drawn in against his chest. The figure is covered in a burnished red-orange slip, with cream bands and crisp black outlines painted over it. The face is carefully modeled, with almond eyes outlined in black, a jutting nose, pursed lips, and large round ear ornaments. A close-fitting banded cap sits on the head. Stepped and striped geometric bands run around the legs like leggings. The hump rises behind the shoulders and is open at the top. Inside, a hollow channel runs down through the body to a second opening in the base, so the piece is not a vessel. In ancient Central America, people with spinal deformities were often linked to the supernatural, and this hunchback may carry that meaning, though his exact role is not known. Size: 4.6" H x 3" W x 2.5" D (11.7 cm H x 7.6 cm W x 6.4 cm D). Painted pottery of the Greater Nicoya region (northwestern Costa Rica and the Pacific coast of Nicaragua) was at its height in the Middle and Late Polychrome periods. Potters there used white or cream slips with red, orange, and black paint, and made vessels and effigies in a range of named ware types. Across Mesoamerica and lower Central America, people with dwarfism or hunched backs were often shown in art and kept in elite settings. They were sometimes believed to have special ties to the spirit world, which may help explain why the subject was chosen. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #205655

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