Pre-columbian figurines and vessels to appraise and sell
24 September 2025
Description

I inherited around 10 bowls/vessels and figurines that my father had purchased in Los Angeles auctions in the 80'3. He said they held a lot of value, but has since passed. They were all acquired in auctions in the 80'3 - Los Angeles.

Dimensions

5x7x5

Acquired from
Inherited
For sale
Yes
Answered within 5 days
By David U.
Sep 29, 18:07 UTC
Fair Market Value
$3,000 - $6,000 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello, this item is a group of Pre-Columbian ceramic vessels and figurines, likely originating from Central or South America. The collection includes both utilitarian bowls with slip-painted decoration and small anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figurines, characteristic of cultures such as Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit, or Veracruz. These objects typically date between 300 BCE and 600 CE, though the exact origin would require closer stylistic and material analysis. The red and black slip finishes, along with the compact sculptural style of the figurines, align with West Mexican shaft tomb traditions, while the vessels suggest utilitarian and ritual functions.

This group’s provenance, inherited from purchases made at Los Angeles auctions in the 1980s, adds credibility, though authentication by thermoluminescence or comparative museum study would be essential. Individual figurines of this type generally sell for $200 to $800 depending on size, condition, and cultural attribution, while decorated vessels may range from $500 to $2,000. As a group, this collection could carry an auction estimate between $3,000 and $6,000.

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