Colima Pottery Olla

Pre-Columbian Era, Colima Culture, c. 200-300 AD, Western Mexico

A mesmerizing redware saucer-shaped olla, skillfully crafted with a wide mouth, flared lip, and elegantly curved body. Two small handles, shaped like animal paws, add a charming zoomorphic touch, suggesting ritual or symbolic significance.

The vessel’s gorgeous brownish-red slip enhances its rich, earthy tones, while the surface has been expertly burnished before firing, resulting in a highly polished, almost luminous sheen. The thin walls and precise form, achieved without the use of a potter’s wheel, showcase the sophisticated ceramic artistry of the Colima culture.

Colima ceramics, a part of the West Mexican Shaft Tomb tradition, were often placed in elite burials as offerings for the afterlife. This olla exemplifies the grace, refinement, and technical mastery that define Colima’s world-renowned pottery tradition.

A truly exceptional and rare example of Pre-Columbian craftsmanship.

Excellent condition. Wear commensurate with age and use. Small chips repaired in the rim, otherwise intact. Dirt, dust and rich earthen deposits. Size approx. 16,0cm x 16,0cm x 7,5cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection.