Lot 86

Caddo Engraved Pottery Water Bottle

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Lot 86
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Caddo Engraved Pottery Water Bottle
Caddo Engraved Pottery Water Bottle
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Caddo Engraved Pottery Water Bottle

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Starting Bid: $450

(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

Native American, Southeastern United States, Mississippian culture, Caddo, ca. 1200 to 1500 CE. A Mississippian Caddo engraved pottery water bottle defined by its full globular body, tall cylindrical neck, and flowing Walls Engraved decoration that moves across the surface like a slow current. The vessel is formed with a rounded body that transitions cleanly into a narrow, upright neck, a classic Caddo water bottle profile designed for carrying and pouring liquids. The surface is dark fired, ranging from deep charcoal to warm brown, with lighter engraved lines cut crisply into the clay before firing. These incised motifs consist of sweeping scrolls, curving bands, and triangular panels filled with fine diagonal hatching, arranged in a continuous horizontal rhythm around the body. Size: 6.8" W x 8.6" H (17.3 cm x 21.8 cm)

The scroll elements are characteristic of Walls Engraved pottery, a decorative tradition associated with later Caddo ceramic production. The design suggests movement and circulation, often interpreted as references to water, wind, or cosmological cycles. The engraved lines are confident and evenly spaced, indicating a practiced hand and careful planning of the composition.

Around the shoulder and lower body, additional engraved bands anchor the design visually, while the neck remains largely undecorated, emphasizing the contrast between form and ornament. The surface shows light wear and firing clouds consistent with age and use, reinforcing the sense that this was a functional object as well as a bearer of symbolic imagery.

Caddo water bottles like this example occupied an important place in Mississippian daily and ceremonial life. They were practical vessels, but also objects through which ideas about balance, motion, and the natural world were expressed. This bottle stands as a refined example of Caddo engraving traditions, combining utility with a visual language that remains striking centuries later.

Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection, acquired January 2018; ex-Arrowhead Museum (auction house), Perry, Missouri, USA

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Item # 201058

  • Condition: Repaired with break line visible and some stable fissures in areas, as well as minor nicks and pitting. Otherwise, very nice with clear decoration and scattered earthen deposits. Old collection labels on underside of base.

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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