PRE COLUMBIAN NAYARIT POTTERY FIGURES DENHAM ESTATE From the Denham Collection Hasso von Winning Authentic Start Price USD 550.00 Current Price USD 550.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 850.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, August 29, 2008 End Time Friday, September 05, 2008 Location Tucson, AZ. See more about 'PRE COLUMBIAN NAYARIT POTTERY FIGURES DENHAM ESTATE' Description Pre-Columbian Shaft Tomb Culture Nayarit Funeral Figures Western Mexico The Western Mexico Shaft Tomb complex, or culture, refers to a set of interlocked cultural traits found in the western Mexico states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima, roughly dating to a period between 100BC - 500AD.  Until recently, the locally-found artifacts were all that was known of the people and culture that created the shaft tombs.  So little was known, in fact, that a major 1998 exhibition featuring these artifacts was titled "Art and Archeology of the Unknown Past".  The Shaft Tomb Culture clay and ceramic figures, objects, and other items were made specifically to be placed in the tombs and buried with the dead as funeral pieces.  These Shaft Tomb Culture decorated ceremonial figures are from southern Nayarit in western Mexico.  They are from a heavily provenanced collection that was originally purchased from Mrs. Cary L. Rutherford of Phoenix, Arizona, Dec. 18, 1979 by Dorothy Denham of Tempe, Arizona.  The bill of sale for this purchase was notarized Oct. 30, 1983.  The entire collection was catalogued and authenticated by Hasso von Winning in May of 1977.  Hasso von Winning has incredible credentials (see last picture), is the foremost authority on the Shaft Tomb Cultures, and has authored several publications, including numerous articles in scientific and archaeological journals.  These figures are in-situ condition except that the head of the second figure (#25) has been glued back on.  Both figures have manganese deposits and other mineralization consistent with a 2000-year old funereal piece.  The figures are item numbers 24 and 25  in Hasso von Winning's authentication catalogue, and have the corresponding collection numbers on the lower right back of each figure.  Each of the figures are described in the catalog as a seated female slab figurine, brown with white on red paint; polished.  The figures are 5" high and 3-1/2" wide.  Besides the head being broken off and glued back on, both figures have minor damage to their noses.  There were several dozen pieces catalogued and authenticated by Hasso von Winning in this collection, and this pair of figures are just two of  many items that we will be offering at auction on Ebay in the weeks to come.  All pieces have been reinspected by me under microscopic conditions, and by Mr. Fred Gumbart of Arizona Galleries. 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!