Lot 41

Costa Rican Nicoya Polychrome Jar w/ Owl Face

Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 41
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4
Costa Rican Nicoya Polychrome Jar w/ Owl Face
Costa Rican Nicoya Polychrome Jar w/ Owl Face
image_0 image_1 image_2 image_3 image_4

Costa Rican Nicoya Polychrome Jar w/ Owl Face

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,800

Starting Bid: $500

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
June 25, 2026 9:00 AM MDT (In Progress)
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Pre-Columbian, Costa Rica, Nicoya Peninsula, Greater Nicoya zone, ca. 500 to 1200 CE. A globular Nicoya polychrome jar whose buff-slipped body is encircled at the shoulder by a band of red and dark gray-black geometric patterning - stepped meanders and interlocking angular registers characteristic of the Greater Nicoya ceramic tradition - while the mid-body bears a modeled zoomorphic face in low relief, its concentric spiral eyes, pronounced nubbin nose, and swept flanking elements painted in the same bichrome palette, peering outward with the mild authority of a creature that has presided over the vessel's contents for the better part of a millennium. The top view reveals that the decorative program continues across the shoulder in confident sweeping brushwork, confirming a vessel conceived to be admired from every angle and likely used in a ritual or high-status domestic context. Size: 7.5" D x 7.2" H (19.1 cm D x 18.3 cm H)

Provenance: private Fresno, California, USA Collection

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 202606

  • Condition: Very Good. Restoration to rim; all done expertly and difficult to notice. Light surface wear as shown, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, body is intact and presentation is excellent with good remaining pigments and painted detail. Nice root marks in areas and rich earthen deposits to interior.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000