PRE COLUMBIAN CHINESCO SHAMAN"S STEM CUP WALKER ESTATE Start Price USD 159.00 Current Price USD 159.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 225.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Thursday, August 28, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'PRE COLUMBIAN CHINESCO SHAMAN"S STEM CUP WALKER ESTATE' Description Pre-Columbian Chinesco Style Ceremonial Stem Cup In-Situ  A true  example from a wondrous West Coast Mexico culture.  This classic, Ceremonial Stem Cup fits into the Shaft Tomb Culture period (100BC-250AD), from the State of Chinesco.  This is a particularly fine example from this period, and comes from a more-than-50-year-old legitimate collection.  This fine Ceremonial Stem Cup is in in-situ condition, with all the right salts, manganese, and even tree-root tracks still visible on the surface.  The cup has never been broken and re-fired, so it will legitimately TL test.   It is a great example of a very rare type of ceremonial cup: a diamond-back rattlesnake design is incised on the inner surface, a true Shamanic accessory.  The Shamans of this area used to (and still do) make their hallucinogenic concoctions using rattlesnake venom along with herbs that were gathered from all parts of Mexico.  I am offering this exquisite item one more time, and then it will be for gallery only.  There are a few small chips on the top and bottom rims (see pictures #5, 6,  & 7).  However, to find one in this condition, with no major breaks, is astounding, considering the tectonic movement from the country's location on the Pacific Rim, and the violent hurricanes that have struck this area for millennia.  The top diameter is 3-1/2", and the bottom diameter is 2-3/4".  The cup is 2-1/2" high.  This item was from the Estate of Thomas Walker, a long- time Tucson businessman and collector for over 50 years.  This item has also been authenticated by Mr. Fred Gumbart, owner/appraiser of Arizona Galleries (520-322-6388).  He specializes (by appointment only) in consultations and official, licensed, and accredited appraising of Fine Period Antiques, Fine Art, Ethnographic Art, Pre-Columbian Art and the Asian Arts.  Fred is a lifelong collector of artifacts, and has the most astounding memory of anyone I have personally known. Additionally, this vessel has also been authenticated by Dr. Timothy Jones, PhD, Anthropologist, formerly with the University of Arizona.  Dr. Jones has accepted invitations to the world's largest museum in Beijing, and has received privately guided tours of the Beijing Museum, which included some of the most treasured vault items hidden away from the general public.  Dr. Jones is Native American and has directed the excavations and analyses of more than 20 major sites and 40 archaeological surveys, both here and abroad.  Dr. Jones now runs his own appraisal and authentication business, and is certified RPA-IAA.  Dr. Jones can be reached at 520-744-2766.  He helps in the verifications of all our later porcelains, as I do for him on the older items of Jades and pottery.  He has no vested interest in our business, and we just truly enjoy each others company and knowledge.     You may view this item or any of our other antiquities, fine art or artifacts at our gallery,   by appointment only. We are Antiquities, Plus... David Fredericks 2752 North Campbell Ave. Tucson, AZ 85719 Phone 520-991-2153 Refunds will be made only upon receipt by us (within 14 days of buyer's receipt of the item), of a written verification from a major University Department Head, or Major Museum Curator from a recognized institution in the appropriate field.       NOTE: For international sales, buyer is responsible for all import duty taxes.  Place a Bid!