Pre-Columbian Nariño Bowl | Bichrome Terracotta with Monkey Motifs | Circa 800–1500 CE

Provenance & Ownership History
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Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 920 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on March 30, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

$800.00
$800.00
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This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
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Terracotta Nariño culture bowl from Colombia and Ecuador, decorated with bichrome slip, negative resist geometric border, and four monkeys in the interior, dating from 800–1500 CE.
Rotating 360-degree view of a Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl, circa 800–1500 CE, showing its four monkey motifs, bichrome decoration, geometric border, profile, and underside.
Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl from Colombia or Ecuador, circa 800–1500 CE, with red and cream bichrome decoration.
Ancient Nariño terracotta bowl featuring four stylized monkey motifs and geometric negative resist decoration.
Pre-Columbian Colombian ceramic bowl with bichrome slip, concentric interior patterns, and stylized animal imagery.
Ancient Andean terracotta bowl from the Nariño culture showing finely executed negative resist geometric patterns.
Pre-Columbian Nariño ceramic vessel with painted interior decoration, stylized monkeys, and patterned rim border.
Historic Nariño pottery bowl from northern South America displaying detailed bichrome surface decoration and aged patina.
Ancient Colombian or Ecuadorian Nariño bowl with hand-painted geometric motifs and distinctive animal iconography.
Pre-Columbian terracotta bowl circa 800–1500 CE showing its rounded foot, aged clay surface, and preserved decoration.
Nariño culture ceremonial pottery bowl with intricate negative resist designs, bichrome coloring, and monkey motifs.
Pre-Columbian Nariño terracotta bowl with four monkeys and negative-resist geometric rim, 800–1500 CE.
  • Terracotta Nariño culture bowl from Colombia and Ecuador, decorated with bichrome slip, negative resist geometric border, and four monkeys in the interior, dating from 800–1500 CE.
  • Rotating 360-degree view of a Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl, circa 800–1500 CE, showing its four monkey motifs, bichrome decoration, geometric border, profile, and underside.
  • Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl from Colombia or Ecuador, circa 800–1500 CE, with red and cream bichrome decoration.
  • Ancient Nariño terracotta bowl featuring four stylized monkey motifs and geometric negative resist decoration.
  • Pre-Columbian Colombian ceramic bowl with bichrome slip, concentric interior patterns, and stylized animal imagery.
  • Ancient Andean terracotta bowl from the Nariño culture showing finely executed negative resist geometric patterns.
  • Pre-Columbian Nariño ceramic vessel with painted interior decoration, stylized monkeys, and patterned rim border.
  • Historic Nariño pottery bowl from northern South America displaying detailed bichrome surface decoration and aged patina.
  • Ancient Colombian or Ecuadorian Nariño bowl with hand-painted geometric motifs and distinctive animal iconography.
  • Pre-Columbian terracotta bowl circa 800–1500 CE showing its rounded foot, aged clay surface, and preserved decoration.
  • Nariño culture ceremonial pottery bowl with intricate negative resist designs, bichrome coloring, and monkey motifs.
  • Pre-Columbian Nariño terracotta bowl with four monkeys and negative-resist geometric rim, 800–1500 CE.
Terracotta Nariño culture bowl from Colombia and Ecuador, decorated with bichrome slip, negative resist geometric border, and four monkeys in the interior, dating from 800–1500 CE.
Rotating 360-degree view of a Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl, circa 800–1500 CE, showing its four monkey motifs, bichrome decoration, geometric border, profile, and underside.
Pre-Columbian Nariño pottery bowl from Colombia or Ecuador, circa 800–1500 CE, with red and cream bichrome decoration.
Ancient Nariño terracotta bowl featuring four stylized monkey motifs and geometric negative resist decoration.
Pre-Columbian Colombian ceramic bowl with bichrome slip, concentric interior patterns, and stylized animal imagery.
Ancient Andean terracotta bowl from the Nariño culture showing finely executed negative resist geometric patterns.
Pre-Columbian Nariño ceramic vessel with painted interior decoration, stylized monkeys, and patterned rim border.
Historic Nariño pottery bowl from northern South America displaying detailed bichrome surface decoration and aged patina.
Ancient Colombian or Ecuadorian Nariño bowl with hand-painted geometric motifs and distinctive animal iconography.
Pre-Columbian terracotta bowl circa 800–1500 CE showing its rounded foot, aged clay surface, and preserved decoration.
Nariño culture ceremonial pottery bowl with intricate negative resist designs, bichrome coloring, and monkey motifs.
Pre-Columbian Nariño terracotta bowl with four monkeys and negative-resist geometric rim, 800–1500 CE.
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Pre-Columbian Nariño Bowl | Bichrome Terracotta with Monkey Motifs | Circa 800–1500 CE

Description
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Historical Context & Origin

Region: Nariño Culture (Present-Day Colombia and Ecuador)
Material: Terracotta Clay with Bichrome Slip and Negative Resist Decoration
Period: 800–1500 CE

Description

This striking Nariño pottery bowl is a fine example of Pre-Columbian ceramic artistry from ancient Colombia. The vessel is decorated with bichrome banding and features four stylized monkeys encircling the interior, while the rim is finished with a finely executed negative resist geometric border. Together, these elements reflect the technical sophistication and symbolic visual language characteristic of Nariño ceramic traditions.

Features

- Four stylized monkeys arranged within the interior

- Negative resist geometric border along the rim

- Bichrome slip decoration in red and cream tones

- Hand-shaped terracotta with finely applied surface treatment

- Compact form suitable for ritual use or display

Cultural Significance

The Nariño culture of the northern Andes is renowned for its highly refined ceramic traditions, particularly the use of negative resist decoration and bichrome surface treatment. Animal imagery, including monkeys, appears frequently in Nariño pottery and may have carried symbolic or shamanic associations. Bowls such as this likely served ceremonial, social, or domestic purposes while also expressing cultural identity through their distinctive decorative programs.

Condition

Well preserved with surface wear and patina consistent with age. The decorative motifs remain clear and visually striking, underscoring the enduring craftsmanship of the piece.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Diameter: 7.5 in

Age (Approximate)

525–1,225 years old

Provenance

Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 920 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on March 30, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Study the Ceramic Traditions of Traditional Pottery and Decorative Arts

Browse Our Collection of Ancient Ceramics and Pottery

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Nariño Culture (Present-Day Colombia and Ecuador)
Material: Terracotta Clay with Bichrome Slip and Negative Resist Decoration
Period: 800–1500 CE

Description

This striking Nariño pottery bowl is a fine example of Pre-Columbian ceramic artistry from ancient Colombia. The vessel is decorated with bichrome banding and features four stylized monkeys encircling the interior, while the rim is finished with a finely executed negative resist geometric border. Together, these elements reflect the technical sophistication and symbolic visual language characteristic of Nariño ceramic traditions.

Features

- Four stylized monkeys arranged within the interior

- Negative resist geometric border along the rim

- Bichrome slip decoration in red and cream tones

- Hand-shaped terracotta with finely applied surface treatment

- Compact form suitable for ritual use or display

Cultural Significance

The Nariño culture of the northern Andes is renowned for its highly refined ceramic traditions, particularly the use of negative resist decoration and bichrome surface treatment. Animal imagery, including monkeys, appears frequently in Nariño pottery and may have carried symbolic or shamanic associations. Bowls such as this likely served ceremonial, social, or domestic purposes while also expressing cultural identity through their distinctive decorative programs.

Condition

Well preserved with surface wear and patina consistent with age. The decorative motifs remain clear and visually striking, underscoring the enduring craftsmanship of the piece.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Diameter: 7.5 in

Age (Approximate)

525–1,225 years old

Provenance

Sold by Waddington’s, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, as Lot 920 in the Cabinet of Curiosities auction on March 30, 2023. Subsequently acquired by a private collector in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Study the Ceramic Traditions of Traditional Pottery and Decorative Arts

Browse Our Collection of Ancient Ceramics and Pottery

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