Antique Pre-Columbian Nariño Polychrome Pottery Compotera (800–1200 a.d.)

Details

Description

Antique Pre-Columbian Nariño Polychrome Pottery Compotera (800–1200 A.D.)

This exceptional Pre-Columbian terracotta vessel is a superb artifact from the Nariño … Read more Antique Pre-Columbian Nariño Polychrome Pottery Compotera (800–1200 A.D.)

This exceptional Pre-Columbian terracotta vessel is a superb artifact from the Nariño culture, which thrived in the highlands of present-day southern Colombia and northern Ecuador. Known as a compotera, this utilitarian pedestal vessel dates to the Middle Period, between 800 and 1200 A.D..

The piece features the culture's hallmark negative-resist painting technique, where black pigment was applied over a dark red clay slip to create striking geometric designs. These intricate patterns—ranging from vertical rectilinear bands on the bowl to concentric horizontal stripes on the pedestal base—were often symbolic of cosmological or agricultural cycles in ancient Andean society. Compoteras were versatile high-status vessels, utilized for consuming fermented beverages, grinding medicinal spices, or holding ritual seeds.

Dimensions
Diameter: 5.25 inches
Height: 4 inches

Condition
Remarkably Preserved Archaeological Condition. The vessel is guaranteed authentic and retains a high degree of its original geometric resist pigment. It exhibits an authentic patina and minor surface abrasions consistent with an artifact that is over 1,000 years old. The interior bowl shows a natural mineralized surface typical of excavated terracotta.

Provenance
Acquired from a prominent private collection. This vessel is a documented example of the specialized ceramic artistry of the northern Andean highlands.

A museum-quality focal piece for any serious antiquities collection, this Nariño compotera offers a rare, tangible link to the sophisticated social organization and artistic legacy of ancient South America. See less