Lot 8146

Taino Bat Man Bowl Featuring Bat Men

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Taino Bat Man Bowl Featuring Bat Men

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Current Bid: $200

(1 Bid)

by Affiliated Auctions
June 24, 2026 9:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
2500 Apalachee Pkwy
Tallahassee, FL, US 32301

Taino. Exquisite Bat-man bowl featuring 3 Bat-men. At the front of the bowl a large idealized bat face with extended arms has been carefully executed. The arms signify human intent. There are two full figured, embossed, up side down bat-men, one on each side. Their human like arms and legs holding the rim. This inversed imagery is the way bats naturally roost. Again we see the human to bat transition, likely depicting and important shaman or casique (chief). The back of the bowl features a series of two finely carved interlocking bird heads, one along the incurvate rim and the other just below. These symbols imply the course of weather. The bottom is footed by a round embossed base. The bowl was probably used to hold a hallucinogen like cohoba and/or powdered tobacco and only used for a specific ceremonial events. This example exemplifies the Taino carvers creative genius and their mastery of stone media. The fine polish and intricate ornamentation reflect the Taino's deep respect for materials and their belief in the animate quality of stone. The fine polish and intricate linear ornamentation reflect the Taino's deep respect for materials. Width 11” height 4”. Made of magnetite. Taino Culture c.600-1500 AD. Dominican Republic. Purchased from a Taino collection in La Vega DR to retired Florida collector Laurence Witten to the Larry Roberts collection , author of "Taino Sculptures, Art of the Gods," "Taino Hallucinogenic Implements Inhaling the Cosmic Dust," and the newly released "Taino Zemis and Other Heads of State, Rediscovering Caribbean Art." BS in Archaeology, University of Florida and BA, Art History University of Florida. Museum displays at the Orlando Museum of Art (2013-2014) and Santa Fe College (2024-Present) in Gainesville, Florida.
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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $399 $10
$400 $999 $25
$1,000 $1,999 $50
$2,000 + $100