Very Large Cocle Polychrome Decorated Olla

Pre-Columbian, Central America, Panama, Gran Cocle culture, ca. 800 to 1000 CE. A well-preserved, large vessel with a globular body, tightly corseted neck, and flaring mouth with rolled rim. Around the shoulder is a wonderful painting of a mythical creature - known as the "rainbow serpent" painted with thick black outlines filled in with red that contrasts strongly with the earthy beige background color. Vessels like this one are mainly found in graves, especially the graves of Sitio Conte, which also included a vast array of gold objects. Size: 11.25" W x 10.5" H (28.6 cm x 26.7 cm); 11.5" H (29.2 cm) on included custom stand.

In the Gran Cocle Pre-Columbian kingdom, geometric design elements such as these were imbued with powerful symbolism, although the cognitive intent of these has largely been forgotten or is no longer known. Some researchers believe that the brightly colored Cocle ceramics refer to the contemporary belief system, which seems to have revolved a mythic "Rainbow Serpent" who was believed to be the original designer of these motifs.

Provenance: ex-Robert and Marianne Huber, New York and Illinois, USA, acquired in the 1960s to 1990s

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.

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#145129
Condition Report: Intact, with excellent deposits on surface and a firing mark low on the body. Surface wear such as scratches and nicks commensurate with age.