A Calima (Malagana) Fruit Bat Effigy Vessel ...

Description

A Calima (Malagana) Fruit Bat Effigy Vessel
Colombia, c. 100 BC - 500 AD

The bat depicted in flight, mounted on a raised and tapering foot. Made of earthenware a tan color with burnished reddish brown on back and foot. Faint resist painting on underside of body in geometric patterns. Incised linear and circular details on ears, wings, and tail. Appears to be in excellent, intact condition.

This type of vessel with two spouts and a bridge handle is known as an alcarraza. It developed in the early Llama phase and became the hallmark vessel of the Calima culture. The alcarraza was a kind of standard vehicle for modeling diverse human and animal forms from daily life, as well as house models. They are elaborate vessels, in decoration and technique, and may have been made exclusively for burial, as they show little sign of wear. Bats, as here, occur frequently, along with animals and a great many birds.

Provenance:
Private Collection, New York
Acquired by the current collection in 1993
Ancient Art of the New World, New York

Length: 8 inches

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