Chiriqui Tripod Pottery Vessel

Pre-Columbian era, Chiriquí Phase, c. 1000-1550AD, Chiriqui region, Panama, Mesoamerica.

Absolutely stunning Chiriqui Phase tripod bowl of Tarrago Bisquit pottery, a high quality ceramic type with a light buff, homogenous paste, a surface texture like sandpaper, and a very thin vessel wall with appliqué decoration motifs. Also called San Miguel Bisquit, Armadillo ware, or simply Bisquit ware, this pottery manufactured by specialists is usually considered the “classic” Chiriqui occupation, also called Period VI. Leading up to this period, around A.D. 800, important changes occurred in the Greater Chiriqui area with an apparent influx of South American peoples or cultural traditions, possibly related to Chibcha-speaking peoples from Colombia. By A.D. 1000, new types of ceramics appear, such as Tarrago Bisquit, although some continuity with past traditions is evident. The legs are modeled to represent mythical creature heads and arms. Excellent condition. Intact. Age-related minimal wear and abrasion. Light encruted patina. Size approx. 7,7cm x 10,2cm x 10,1cm. 

Provenance: Swedish private collection

For a similar examples see:

Florida Museum of Natural History, Intermediate Area Artifacts, Plate 10. Accession Number: A16743

Harvard, Peabody Museum, Accession Number: 04-61-20/C3855

Museo Antropológico Reina Torres de Arauz, Accession Number: 2005:40, 42.