Lot 31

Ceremonial Xochipala Gypsum Alabaster Bowl, Semi-Translucent Pink

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Ceremonial Xochipala Gypsum Alabaster Bowl, Semi-Translucent Pink

Estimate: $1,400 - $2,100

Starting Bid: $700

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 11, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Pre-Columbian, Southwest Mexico, Xochipala region, Classic to Postclassic era., ca. 200 - 1400 CE. A rare semi-translucent gypsum (alabaster) bowl in a soft pale pink hue, its thin rounded walls and gently curved profile allowing light to diffuse through the stone when backlit. The luminous material and color suggest ceremonial or high-status use rather than utilitarian function. Such bowls were produced by hollowing a solid gypsum nodule through pecking, abrasion, and prolonged grinding with stone tools and water until the interior achieved its smooth, even contour. The Xochipala region, located in present-day Guerrero, is renowned for its early lapidary and sculptural traditions, reflecting a long continuity of stone-working skill that influenced later cultures across southwest Mexico. Size: 2.3" Diameter x 1.25" H (5.8 cm x 3.2 cm)

Provenance: private Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA collection, acquired 1990 to 2000.

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Item # 199346

  • Condition: Choice. Minor nicks to rim and abrasions to base. Natural interior striations to the stone. Proposed culture and findsite written on the surface of base.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 + $1,000