La Tolita-Tumaco Grey Ware Figure Fragment

Pre-Columbian era, La Tolita-Tumaco culture, c. 900BC-200AD, Southern Colombia or Northern Ecuador.

Enchanting and highly stylized grey ware animal figure fragment. The La Tolita was a Pre-Columbian culture that spread throughout the coastal region of Colombia and Ecuador. Two of the most notable sites of this Amerindian culture are Tumaco and La Tolita, from which it takes its name. The available archaeological evidence of this culture is ancient in the case of the La Tolita site, whose materials have been dated around 600BC., while in Tumaco the oldest dates correspond to 300BC. La Tolita potters used sandy, grayish clay to make their pottery, which included jugs, pitchers, cups, tripods and yuca graters. The many figurines they made were finely crafted and realistically detailed, almost all having nose rings, ear ornaments, and other bodily ornaments like balacas and pectorals. Also notable were their statues of mythical beings, including some that were half human-half animal.

Fascinating fragment of the upper body of an mythical animal, with applied legs, long body, bulging eyes and long beak or snout. Moderate condition. Age-related wear and chip. Encrusted patina. Size approx. 6,9cm x 3,1cm x 4,1cm. 

Provenance: Dutch private collection