Comes with Certificate of Authenticity Provided with unconditional 5 year return policy-From late Hollywood Star's Anthony Quinn's personal collection! Authentic Pre-Columbian Rio Magdalena Moskito Pottery Urn artifact. This stunning artifact from Colombia, Lower Magdalena River Region dates circa 1000-1500 CE. Hauntingly beautiful artifact pottery lid finial, shaped as an anthropomorphic head to fit atop an urn, which includes a broad, trapezoidal forward-facing visage and pinched features. His angular head presents with a serene, perhaps sleeping or trance-like expression - bearing squinting eyes, a curved nose with septum piercing, a closed mouth, and pierced ears - presumably for the suspension of decorative ornaments. Urns were used for secondary burial of important individuals' long bones, after years of primary burial after their bones had been de-fleshed. They would excavate the bones, and place the long bones in the urn, covered by these figural lids that are thought to represent the deceased. The head is hollow, with a circular vent opening at the base of the neck, where this watchful finial once attached to the of the rest domed lid. Size: 9 1/4" W x 7 7/8 " H (23.5 cm x 20.01 cm)

Piece is Published in "Anthony Quinn's Eye: A Lifetime of Creating and Collecting Art" by Donald Kuspit, Jay Parini, and Tom Roberts (Bristol, Rhode Island: Bristol House Press, 2004), page 60.

Condition: Repair to top of head on proper right side. Losses to bottom rim portions around neckline. Nicks, chips, and abrasions to face, peripheries, and neckline as shown, with encrustations in scattered areas, several stable hairline fissures, and a few small spalls. Nice preservation to facial features. Old inventory label written in black ink atop white pigment beneath base. Otherwise, very nice with earthen deposits throughout interior.

Provenance: Comes with Certificate of Authenticity from very well respected gallery that deals in Antiquities where it was purchased. Further: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000.

(Bio from Artemis Galleries): Mr. Quinn appeared in more than 180 films in his 55-year career and his work brought him to exotic locations across the globe. His lifelong passion for collecting art fueled his creativity and helped bring to life some iconic characters like Zorba the Greek, Paul Gaugin in Lust for Life, Auda Abu Tayi in Lawrence of Arabia and hundreds more. Some of his favorite filming locations were in Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Mexico and the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Quinn collected art and artifacts from various cultures and eras, fueling this passion with his sincere curiosity, intelligence, and boundless energy.

Released from private collection that has sold in New York City galleries as well as top auction houses-Guaranteed Authentic

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

Refunds and Exchanges
We accept returns within 30 days of the purchase of the item. However, the buyer is responsible for shipping the item back to us and that cost will not be refunded. We will refund your money for the item as soon as we receive the item back. Please send the item back to us with tracking or insured.


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